Ordinary Meeting - October 2023 Transcript

1 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶

▶ 00:07:18

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

2.2 SPECIAL MEETING 3 OCTOBER 2023 ¶

▶ 00:07:42

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

4 PETITIONS ¶

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00:08:00 Chief Executive Officer to determine appropriate action. Thank you, Mr CEO. Thank you, Councillor. All in favour? Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Thank you, Tom. I also have a petition I'd like Councillor Lorentson: to present to this CEO. The petition is signed by 2,400 supporters requesting that Noosa Council stop Noosa River turning into a conservation park. I'll second that. Mayor Stewart: All in favour for that petition? Tom, Karen. Have we lost them? Tom and Karen. Yes. Tom has. Thank you. That's carried unanimously. Thank you, Vicki. There are no notified motions. There are no presentations. And we have one deputation.

00:09:00 Mrs. Deborah Walsh. There's Deborah. Hello, Deborah. Would you like to come up to the podium to, where is the podium tonight, to present your deputation? Just a reminder that you have 15 minutes, Mrs. Walsh, for your deputation. Thank you. We appreciate you taking the time. I'll put the clock off now. I just came here. You good? Speaker 4: Good evening. My name is Deborah and I wish to provide some local information to Council on the abacus project. The aim for this is for people who can afford it to cover the cost of a coffee, tea, juice, cake, ice, or someone else who is doing it. Those who pay it forward then move the beads on the abacus from one side to the other to a credit sign. This shows the number of credits available. And people who can claim something from the abacus can be someone who's doing this.

7.1 DEBRA WALZ Topic: Abacus Project ¶

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00:10:00 In between jobs, couch, surfing, or even people on a pension. The project is not just about homeless people. It can be for anyone who is doing it tough. Someone who may need that group of help. Simply, it is about helping our community. According to recent APS data, there are over 122,000 Australians who are homeless. What is the true number of homeless in Noosa? Various numbers are bounced around by Council and community, but who really knows? We all realise the main causes of homelessness being a lack of social and affordable housing, low mental vacancy rate, unlawful rents, domestic and family violence, financial stress, physical health, mental health and addiction. 15 plus cafes across the Sunshine Coast, including three in the Noosa Shire, are already on board with the abacus project. Some of the comments cafe owners have said include, it's so important to have projects

00:11:00 like this. We need to help out our own. It's sad to see people struggling. And another one, it's like putting the boot on the other foot. If you're the one doing it tough, and feel that caring side of human nature. Because you don't see a lot of that anymore. The abacus project started on July 24th this year by a woman on the Sunshine Coast who passed me an information pack that I used to help get three more cafes on board in Noosa Shire. This has been rolled out with a great deal of passion and support from various members of the community. You may have seen a segment on Channel 7 News Sunshine Coast at the end of August promoting the initiative. There was also a segment on 92.7 Nets FM with Mike and Carolyn. I have tried to encourage our local Noosa Today newspaper to acknowledge this as a good news story. But I've had no luck there. The three local cafes here in Tewantin are the Paperboy Cafe, Dusty's Kitchen and Potter's

00:12:00 Pantry Cafe, you would know them. They are already experiencing the generosity of community paying forward. They also have some heartwarming stories of being able to put people in need and show them we care. The mission statement of this project is to alleviate some of the suffering across our community for just a little moment. By paying forward for those in need in the hope that this will make them feel loved and cared for by this modest gesture. There is a Facebook page that promotes all the good news stories this initiative has created, as well as a source of information on how cafes can come involved. Along with the promotional material and advocates we provide to each cafe, we also distribute vouchers in the community for people to redeem their coffee or snack. Many of our local businesses and organisations are supporting this initiative, for example the op shops, small businesses and the centre of the domain. For the three months this project

00:13:00 has been running, it has captured a great deal of interest. However, the homelessness issue will not be solved by the access to the project alone. In fact, this project has served to highlight how significant the homelessness issue really is in our Shire. We are concerned community members would like to think Council also shares this concern, and I'm sure you do. Council has commissioned various reports including the Noosa Housing Strategy, the Housing Needs Assessment, the Noosa Plan, plus many more over the years, but the problem of homelessness still persists. Is it time to listen to community members who clearly are focused on supporting our less fortunate community members? Is it time to focus on that resource within the community and harness this little world? Is it time for Council to support this community initiative and others, not necessarily in a financial sense, but endorsement or support of the intent of the project? Does Council in their various

00:14:00 reports genuinely acknowledge the true values of our community and what they really are? We are not just a tourist destination in the physical and environmental sense. We are people, rate payers, residents, who have an intrinsic need to support our more vulnerable community members. I acknowledge there are funded organisations with a charter to assist the homeless. However, there is a significant gap. One of the reasons why the community has developed the Homeless Project are the reasons to highlight to Council the shortfall in adequate and appropriate support for our community members. Is there a coordinated approach in our community to provide support and help to our homeless and people who are doing it tough? I mentioned the housing needs assessment report earlier where it identified a housing emergency. This was in 2021. What is the situation now? Antidotal evidence would suggest the problem has escalated. In 2021, the assessment suggested

00:15:00 between 2016 and 2040, Noosa will need to cater for an extra 6,400 dwellings. Shaping SEQ regional plan indicates similar statistics. The Noosa plan refers to providing a mix of housing types to provide for a diverse community. It mentions delivering social and affordable housing. Where do the homeless fit into these plans? Compared to other regions in SEQ, Noosa has the lowest average annual population growth. How do we focus on this growth? How do we respond to this growth? Knowing what the current situation is regarding homelessness? Where will our rates be prioritised? Do we have a specific housing for homelessness strategy or action plan that can address some of these issues? And how can Council build their capacity to respond to homelessness and support community-led initiatives? Being homeless is

00:16:00 destabilising, demoralising and depressing. Everything appears as an obstacle which gradually chips away at self-esteem and ill-will. No one should be homeless in a country as wealthy as Australia. Affordable accommodation should be aligned with employment. Our disadvantaged population, generally the homeless, need to be engaged in a system that compels them. For that to occur, they must first feel a sense of safety and security within themselves. Discussions with community members has revealed our homeless at times are being targeted by local law. Our current model for dealing with homeless people generally includes an outreach component

00:17:00 and entry point to emergency housing or interim housing via a support system to permanent housing. This sounds great. However, in reality, it doesn't really work. We need to do something about it. We need to increase our help and come up with some solutions for various reasons including accessibility, availability of services, hours of operation of service providers, lack of emergency deeming, and campaigns and funding. I know Council is open to looking at economic solutions to local problems. In particular adopting the sustainable development goals through the UN. In particular, SDG 1 which is no opposite. I'm not going to go into it. I'll leave it there. And saying that, Perhaps it would be useful to look to other countries as examples of how they support their homeless. In Finland, which has positioned itself as a global leader in combating homelessness, they basically converted homeless children into housing units to create new housing stock with supported services.

00:18:00 The country that has the lowest level of homelessness is Japan at 0.003% and performs 170 times better than Australia. It's not about what countries are doing right, it's more about what we are doing wrong. Is there a potential lesson we can learn from exploring different systems and processes? In reference to affordable housing, the Shaping SEQ report indicates a national approach to the growth of our cities, towns and suburbs, while providing a framework based on clear evidence to seek a fair share of federal funding to support our population growth in relation to affordable housing. I believe some of my observations, along with community support and expectations, should guide how this fair share of federal funding is expended in our communities. The most deserving cohort of homeless people are the over 50. New research by the National Seniors Australia and Challenger reveals the majority of older Australians

00:19:00 are increasingly concerned about rising costs of living, with four in five reporting it has negatively impacted their lives. This is relevant as Noosaville's population is aging. The research revealed 53% of older Australians are outliving their savings. The findings show a general older people's sense of financial resilience and financial security has fallen since the start of the pandemic, and the increase in cost of living has further undermined long-term planning and financial policy of seniors. The truth about homelessness is that there is a lack of safety nets available for people when they lose their housing. There is also a negative stigma attached to the homeless. Homelessness is not a choice. It is hard work inflicted on an individual simply because they can't find stable housing. Talking with locals has revealed people can find themselves homeless for a variety of reasons and for a variety of timeframes.

00:20:00 How are we planning for this? From my experience, our community has a vibrant, socially aware cohort of community members who are very much aware of the issues in our midst. But what to do? Many people simply do not know they can help. The Abacus Project has provided a tangible, albeit short-term way, but we need more. How do we get to the stage where our neighbours, friends, family members and strangers alike face uncertain futures because they don't have a roof over their heads? These are mostly well-functioning, hard-working, valued members of society, often referred to as the working homeless. Can we keep blaming COVID for this misworking? We know there has been an escalation in the cost of housing and in general living expenses since COVID. But is there perhaps a more sinister agenda happening that is influencing our lifestyles?

00:21:00 Perhaps this is a discussion for another time. We need a community-wide, coordinated approach to deliver services, housing and programs. Our current system to help the homeless is fragmented. The services available in this Shire are disjointed, uncoordinated, mostly frozen hotlines. Even though the existing services are very well-intentioned, they appear to be working in isolation to each other. I believe data is difficult to establish. However, I also know there are some amazing people, not associated with funding organisations, who are aware of the needs of those experiencing homelessness. This is evident by community notice board updates and results of community polls. Also, the many people involved in the advocacy project. If there was to be a coordinated approach, for example a body made up of community members, they could utilise a framework which enables existing organisations

00:22:00 to communicate, share data, and resources to maximise all resources, which would result in a system which is truly community-focused. Similar to what is identified by Council in the Council's corporate plan under number 2, Livability, Urging Issues, Social and Affordable Housing, 2.1 states, facilitates greater housing choice which meets the changing needs of the community, improves livability and affordability, and includes partnering to increase provision. The Council's signature project is to deliver on the Noosa housing strategy, and the performance measure there is increasing the amount of social and affordable housing in Noosa. In the section on how community can contribute, it is to provide input on planning scheme amendments and development applications in Noosa. The strategy here in relation to social housing and public housing is simple.

00:23:00 Establish short or long-term residential use other than crisis care provided as public housing, or an entity other than the state, for example local council and community housing. The question here is what is Council's current stock of community housing, and does this need to be reviewed? After reading many of Council's reports and also the shaping SEQ plan, I get a sense that Government is moving towards place-based communities. Noosa Shire is one community which incorporates a whopping mix of villages and towns. We should always try to maintain that integrity, rather than dividing our Shire into place-based towns or what is becoming commonly referred to as 15-minute cities or smart cities. If our services to homeless people are to be maximised, our Shire needs to retain its current structure. Fluidity between towns and interaction amongst relatives.

00:24:00 I would like to refer you back to the APHIS project and make a suggestion that these cafes be acknowledged for their contribution to a much bigger future, which is homelessness. If we value honour, integrity, freedom and equality, safety and security, stability and peace, then we must build our systems to make these values a reality. Mayor Stewart: Thank you Mrs Walsh. Thank you very much. As we do have a large agenda tonight, we will be bringing item 11, which is public question time, forward. And I believe we have three applications to public question time this evening. So I'll invite you each individually to come up and to the podium. And once your questions are answered or have been read and responded to, you're under no obligation to stay. So if you'd like to leave, by all means do, or you're welcome to stay on.

11.1 Nick Cooke ¶

▶ 00:24:50

00:25:00 Sorry. So I think the first application is from Mr Nick Cook. Thanks Mr Cook. Question one. I made a deputation to Council at the ordinary meeting Nick Cook: dated Thursday the 21st of September 23, highlighting numerous issues with the Council's community consultation and processes regarding the Pomona placemaking study, calling for it to be suspended until the issues can be reviewed and remedied. Can Council confirm or deny that they have since investigated issues made known to them at this deputation? Speaker 4: Thank you, Mr Cook. Mayor Stewart: We have our Director of Planning and Environment on the line. Kerri, beg your pardon. Sorry, Kerri. Sorry, Kerri's here. We've got a few online in a few years. Beg your pardon, Kerri. Thank you. Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr Cook, for your question. And I acknowledge your ongoing interest in the Pomona Place Project. Your interest is shared by the Pomona community,

00:26:00 as shown through the high level of engagement through the first phase of the Place Project. The Pomona Place Project is a pilot project working in collaboration with our community to deliver a holistic vision and plan for the future of Pomona. The location of Pomona was selected for the pilot given the strong community connection within Pomona residents, the high level of positive relationships between community organisations, and most importantly, the interest expressed from Pomona residents in being selected as the pilot site. As it is a pilot, the Council's Place Team are continually taking on board feedback regarding the pilot and adapting the program to meet community and Council needs. This is an important part of a pilot process and as such, any feedback provided by yourself and other community members will be made available and will be genuinely considered and modifications to the program have been made. Importantly, the learnings from this pilot will then help develop a model for any future Place Programs.

00:27:00 In relation to your request to suspend the Pomona Place Program, Council will not be suspending the program. The first phase of the community engagement, which lasted seven weeks, has been incredibly successful with high levels of participation across numerous activities. This has resulted in over 250 survey results and responses, over 240 people providing input through community pop-ups, detailed community submissions and other contributions. For Pomona's population of just under 3,000 people, this is a highly statistically significant response. The community are keen to see the outcomes of the engagement as well as the next phase of the project to develop a draft plan prior to the second phase of community engagement when the draft plan is released. Therefore, the project will proceed as scheduled. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Kerri. Thank you very much. The second application is from Mrs... No, no, no. Oh, Nick, you've got two.

00:28:00 Beg your pardon, Nick. Sorry, I only had you down for one. Sorry. There you go. Nick Cook: All right, question two. Will Noosa Council categorically confirm that they will not ban, suspend, or restrict powered vessel access, including vessels powered by an internal combustion engine to any part of Noosa River now or into the future? Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Nick. Mr. CEO... Acting CEO, Larry Glance, you. Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Glance. Council does not have the authority to ban powered vessels access to the river and does not seek to gain this authority. There is no proposal to prevent powered vessels from accessing the river. In fact, Council is working with NSQ Maritime Safety Queensland to identify suitable upgrades to boating facilities. For two years, Council and the former Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee, comprised of 14 members representing the commercial and recreational fishing and boating sectors, conservation and natural resource management, commercial operators on the river, and the tourism sector, worked with NSQ to introduce a 28-day anchoring limit

00:29:00 in any financial year to reduce congestion and improve the river's amenity, which is anticipated to be considered by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads next year. This was a major achievement and outcome for the community. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thanks. Thank you, Mr. CEO. Now we have Ms. Julie Watson. Hello, Julie. Welcome. Hello. Speaker 6: What is the procedure if you go ahead with the conservation area of the park over the river if a future council wants to change the parameters that you were setting? Yes. As this gentleman's just said, you said you are not going for taking off the motors and everything else. What happens if we vote you out and the next crew come in and you've already got this conservation happening? And can they then just quietly change without too much of a problem? Good question.

11.2 Julie Watson ¶

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00:30:00 Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Julie. Yes. Mr. CEO. Speaker 1: Certainly. Thank you. Any council can consider the decisions of a previous council and revisit those decisions, policies and strategies adopted by that council. In relation to the issue of conservation park consideration is important. Firstly, you understand this council is not going ahead with the conservation park. This council is considering a Noosa River catchment plan that includes an action to consider the conservation park. Consideration of a conservation park would be a lengthy and comprehensive process and requires a number of steps, including public consultation and a detailed feasibility assessment of natural, cultural and socio-economic values of the river. If this were to proceed, this process would take some time before any council, future council, considered going ahead with a conservation park over parts of the river. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Thanks, Mr. CEO. Speaker 6: My next question was because if this did go ahead,

00:31:00 who will compensate anyone that loses their income because this goes from boat owners who will go down to the cafes? Speaker 1: I've got a short answer. As mentioned above, comprehensive assessment and consultation is required as part of any consideration. And that's what it is, it's consultation. Okay. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Jill. The third application is from Ms. Hayley Haas. Oh, hello, Hayley. Would you like to come up to the podium? You're well-versed. Thank you. Speaker 2: What specific application and or involvement does the SEQ Council of Mayors Resilient Rivers Initiative have in the formulation and or execution of the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan? Speaker 1: Me again? Yeah. Council of Mayors of South East Queensland, which is commonly known as CommSec, and I'll use that term, has indicated that South East Queensland

11.3 Hayley Hass ¶

▶ 00:31:30

00:32:00 Waterways and Wetlands Investment Strategy, which Council provided input to, is likely to be endorsed by the Resilient Rivers Task Force in December. Council has formulated the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan taking into account the framework for catchment action plans already endorsed by other councils. Catchment action plans can be developed by councils or the Resilient Rivers Initiative in partnership with council and key stakeholders. If council has an existing plan for its catchment, it will expedite funding decisions, but the absence of one includes a multi-criteria analysis for potential projects and sets a vision for funding for the future of the region's waterways and wetlands. CommSec has invited council to put forward high priority projects. Funding for projects is not guaranteed, however, co-contributions for projects will utilise good science and engineering and will be well received.

00:33:00 Speaker 2: Can council please outline what community consultation occurred before Noosa Council decided and or resolved to join the SEQ Council of Mayors? Speaker 1: Thank you, Kabi. The decision to join the SEQ Council of Mayors or CommSec was made at the council meeting on 16 September 2021. The decision to join CommSec has already proven to be advantageous for the Shire of Noosa with the access to a range of funding opportunities that Noosa Council would not ordinarily have access to. And with the advent of the 2032 Olympic Games, it's important to have a seat at the table to be aware of and utilise opportunities as they emerge. Okay. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, everyone. Thank you. We are now up to item eight, which is consideration of committee reports. 8.1,

8.1 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT - 10 OCTOBER 2023 ¶

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00:34:00 Planning and Environment Committee Report, 10 October 2023. 5.1, was referred to the Zero Emissions Noosa Zen Inc. Grant Funding Agreement was referred to the General Committee. 5.2, Application for Material Change of Use, Hardware and Trade Supplies at 178 Eumundi Noosa, Noosa Road, Noosaville was referred to the General Committee. 5.3, Planning and Environment Court Appeal Number D130 of 2023. Application to reconfigure a lot, one into two lots at 39 to 41 Picture Point, present Noosa Heads. Item 5.4, Planning and Environment Court Appeal Number D153 of 2023. Application for Material Change of Use, Reallocatable Home Park, Community and Affordable Housing, 32 Dwellings at 55 and 70 Carpenters Road, Croy. Item 5.5, Planning and Environment Court Appeal Number D133 of 2023. Application for Building Works for a Dwelling House at 60 Seabue Terrace,

00:35:00 Sunshine Beach. Item 6.1, Planning Applications Decided by Delegated Authority. I, Councillor Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to number 280PW23 slash 0077 in the list of applications in the report as I have a close personal friendship with Jane Margaret Blake. A result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie, who will take my... Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stewart. We have a motion to approve the items approved under Delegated Authority. So moved. Moved, Councillor Jurusevic. Seconded. Councillor Lorentson. Thank you. Any discussion? Put the vote. Those in favour? That's carried unanimously. Councillor Jurisevic: Don't forget those online. Councillor Wilkie: Here. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Tom. Yes. Thank you. Carried unanimously. Thank you. Mayor Stewart, come back. Thank you.

00:36:00 Mayor Stewart: Would someone like to move? I'll move to group one. Thank you. I'll second. Moved by Councillor Wilkie, seconded by Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? Except Carri. Speaker 2: Carri? Carri's got a hand up. Mayor Stewart: Yes. And Tom? Yes. Tom? Councillor Wegener: Yes. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Tom. All in favour? No. Yes. Thank you. 8.2. Services and Organisation Committee Report. 5.1. Final Waste Plan 2023-2028. 5.2. Endorsement of Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2023. Item 5.3. Noosa Shire Council sole and specialised list. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: I, Councillor Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter, as my husband, Chris Laurenston, is an employee of Page Furniture's Pty Ltd, who are proposed to be included on the specialised supply list. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.

8.2 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE REPORT - 10 OCTOBER 2023 ¶

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00:37:00 Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: So moved. So moved, Madam Chair. Mayor Stewart: I'll second that. All in favour? Councillor Jurisevic: No discussion. Mayor Stewart: Karen, yes. Yes. Thank you. That's carried unanimously, Vicky. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Councillor Lorentson. We're up to item 5.4. Council meeting scheduled January to March 2022. Thank you, Councillor Dorisovitch. Councillor Jurisevic: I'll move. I'll move the resolution of the service and organisation committee report to be accepted. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Thank you. All in favour?

00:38:00 Karen, Tom. Yes. Yes. Carried unanimously. Thank you, Vicky. We are now up to item 8.3, General Committee Report. 5.10, Emissions Noosa ZEN Inc. Grant Funding Agreement. 5.2, MCU. 2022-0051, Application for Material Change of Use Hardware and Trade Supplies at 178 Eumundi Noosa Noosa Road, Noosaville. A procedural motion was moved at the General Committee to defer this matter to tonight's meeting. We have a motion which is shown on the screen that was moved by Councillor Wilkie and seconded by myself. Councillors Wilkie, Stockwell and Finzel have all spoken to this motion. We have also been advised by staff that if this motion is to go ahead, we will also need to update Condition 3. Neither Councillor Wilkie nor myself can move an amendment as we have moved and seconded the initial motion. So should we have a councillor move an amendment to add to item C, you need to update Condition 3, please.

8.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE REPORT - 23 OCTOBER 2023 ¶

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00:39:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I will move the amendment as recommended by staff and it will soon be shown on the screen so I can read it out. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell, can you read that? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, so the amendments are in red. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair. Mayor Stewart: Yes, Karen? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Sorry. Councillor Finzel: Can we make that larger so I can read it on the screen, please? Mayor Stewart: Can you see that, Councillor Finzel? Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So the amendments in Condition 3 include that the exit driveway located along the northern boundary is to be relocated off the boundary to provide a garden bed for a length of 15

00:40:00 metres from the front of the site with a minimum planting width of 0.5 metres. The plans are to detail landscape and or architectural treatments that soften the appearance of the retaining wall. An industrial building of the southern elevation of the adjoining site at 13 Vision Court. And the second part of that amendment is the maximum height of the building is to reduce such that no part of the building exceeds 10 metres from the natural ground surface levels and finish levels. And I believe Condition 13, the change is from 12.125 metres to 10 metres. I'll second that. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Councillor Dorisovic has seconded it. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. I'll talk briefly. The height of 10 metres is an acceptable solution for that particular zone. If applicants can't meet the 10 metres then they need to meet a number of performance

00:41:00 outcomes. Some of those performance outcomes I don't believe are met, particularly with regard to not meeting the cut and fill requirements. And I think that's a good point. In general, I believe, would create a sense of bulk and scale. That would be not in keeping with what the planning scheme has had in mind. The location of the northern driveway is such that it will expose a very blank high wall. And above a significant retaining wall, hence the addition of the requirement to move the driveway slightly to put, hopefully, some elevated vegetation with it. If it's a green wall or, you know, trellises, et cetera, to buffer that appearance. I believe that there are opportunities to do redesign so that a largely similar building

00:42:00 can be made, but that steps up to reflect the topography more, which is one of the requirements of the performance outcomes. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Would anyone like to speak to this? Look, thank you, Madam Mayor. Councillor Wilkie: I'll support the amendment. Basically, it's in support of the motion that was moved earlier in the week about reducing Bunnings requests for a 12 metre high building down to one that complies to the planning scheme, which allows 10 metres in that area. For those of those who don't know, we're talking about the block currently adjacent to the existing Bunnings, which is heavily treed with stands of mature eucalypt on there. And I think it will be, it's already going to be quite a shock to the community when that is just levelled to remove all the vegetation and put a 12 metre building there. 10 metres is going to be, which is what's allowed under the planning scheme, is going to be stark enough. And the only reason we have heard from the applicant, by the staff, the reason for having

00:43:00 it is that the applicant wants 12 metres rather than 10. There's another similar centre down in Maroochydore, which gets by with a 10 metre height limit. And the staff did try to negotiate a 10 metre height limit with Bunnings, but were unsuccessful. They were trying to get a better outcome and were settling on 12 metres, which is why they recommended that. 10 metres. 12. The staff wanted 12. But they would have preferred 10, and that's what this motion and amendment is trying to reflect. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak to this? Councillor Griswitch. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah, I'm happy to support this. And my understanding is that there are Bunnings trade centres around that don't have 12 metre heights and that they can accommodate the facility within the confines of the planning scheme and the 10 metre height limit. So I'm prepared to support this. Mayor Stewart: Anyone else? Councillor? Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you.

00:44:00 Through the Chair. Yes, I support these amendments. I think, you know, we've heard the community and we've listened that amenity, health and wellbeing is a priority. We want buildings here that are visually designed safe and attractive. This amendment helps towards reducing the bulk, and when we've got an entry into the Shire, we want to make sure that's heavily treed and that residents living here have a sense of our environment and that they are safe. They are supported through their endeavour to stay within the planning scheme and make sure that we, to the best of our ability, have compliance to such. So I'm happy to support this. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Wegener, would you like to talk to this? Councillor Wegener: No, thank you. Mayor Stewart: Okay. Oh, I don't know. Councillor Stock, would you like to call this? All right, we'll put it to a vote. All in favour? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Speaker 4: Yes. Thank you.

00:45:00 Mayor Stewart: Carried unanimously. Thank you, Vicky. That brings us to item 6.1, MCU 20. We'll go back to the original motion. That's only the amendment, Madam Chair. Sorry. And we haven't spoken to it, Councillor Wilkie, but councillors, the original motion has been, Councillor Wilkie, you've spoken to it, Councillor Stockwell and Finzel have all spoken to it. So it's for Councillor Dorisovitch and Lorentzen. Would you like to speak to it? Councillor Wegener, would you like to speak to it? Councillor Wegener: No, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: I don't wish to close, Madam Chair. Mayor Stewart: I think I've said it all. Okay, all right. Thank you. We'll put it to a vote. All in favour? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Mayor Stewart: Yes. Thank you. Thank you both. Carried unanimously. Thank you, Vicky. Item 6.1, MCU 2022-0209.01, minor change to a development permit for a material change of use for short-term accommodation at 515 Cooroy, Noosa Road, Tinbeawah. Item 6.2, Noosa Lock and Weir, new fee and charges for access devices.

00:46:00 I, Councillor Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the Noosa Waters Lock and Weir. New fees and charges for access devices as I'm a resident of Noosa Waters contribute to the levy and regularly utilise the Noosa Waters Lock and Weir system. As a result of my conflict of interest, I'll now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Thank you, Councillor Forby. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Nick Cook: Okay. Councillor Wilkie: We have a motion before us. That Council note the report by the engineer and agree to fees and charges for the water access cards. I move it. I move Councillor Stockwell. Do I have a seconder, please? I have a seconder. Councillor Durusevic, any discussion? I'll put it to the vote. All in favour?

00:47:00 Councillor Finzel? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Regner? And that's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. We didn't change much. Only the one house. Mayor Stewart: That's all right. I can take it up with my husband. All right. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Financial reports, September 2023. Can I have a mover and a seconder for the adoption? Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. I'll second. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? Councillor Wesson? Yes. Amelia. Karen Tong? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Councillor Lorentson: Carried you down on the sleeve. Yes. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Item nine is reports direct to the ordinary meeting. The main act, 9.1, summary of feedback, Noosa River catchment management plan. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes. We've got a few conflicts of interest. I'll wait for it to come up on the screen. Sorry. I just got that. You didn't know what I was going to say.

9.1 SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK - NOOSA RIVER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN ¶

▶ 00:47:49

00:48:00 Sorry. Sorry. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I wish to inform the meeting I have a declarable conflicts of interest in this matter as follows. Due to my long-standing connection with Noosa District Landcare as one of the inaugural members of the unincorporated group dating back to the 1980s and a current ordinary member, Noosa District Landcare is identified as being consulted in the report. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community of Noosa. I believe that the report is a good example of the community nature of this relationship. Secondly, as I have a long-standing relationship with the Mayor of the Catchment Coordinating Committee, MRCCC, as a previous government employee and a long-term collaborator since 1994, I have in the past had a smaller consultant contract below the limit of the prescribed conflict and prior to the declarable timeframe. I was up until the last AGM, or maybe two AGMs now, but I'll leave it at the last AGM, represented council on the committee and in this role I played a role in facilitating the

00:49:00 developing of the group's revised catchment strategy. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. And finally, as Healthy Land and Water have been providing feedback on the drafting of Noosa River Catchment Plan, in the past I have had a business relationship with this not-for-profit organisation, who I subcontracted to provide general support. I have also been involved in the mapping and mapping support for work I did for SEQ Water in my sole trade of consultancy, Water Shed Australia. The business relationship ended in 2020 as I had completed the last contract with SEQ Water. I will not likely re-engage Healthy Land and Water as subcontractor as the primary person I worked with has left the organisation. While I declare this past interest for the purpose of clarity, considering the limited nature of their involvement in the development of the plan, and further, as neither I nor Healthy Land and Water stand to gain any direct material benefit or loss from the

00:50:00 adoption or otherwise of the plan, I believe a reasonable person would consider that I can consider the matter in a fair and impartial manner. I believe I can make an impartial decision in the public interest in this matter, and I therefore choose to remain in the medium term. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Councillor Lorentson: Thanks, Councillor Stockwell. Any questions for Councillor Stockwell? Councillor Lorentson. So, Healthy Land and Water, I'm just reading that for the first time, you have a business relationship. Can you explain what your business relationship is? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, as stated there, I subcontracted them for contracts I was doing with SEQ Water. They provided the GIS mapping support. I have about two or three years. Councillor Lorentson: So, for clarification, do you have a business in consultancy?

00:51:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, as in the declaration, my sole trader consultancy called Watershed Australia. Councillor Lorentson: So, Watershed Consultancy, can I, through the Chair, ask a question? Should that be a separate declaration that Councillor Wilkie has a... Councillor Stockwell. Oh, Councillor Stockwell has a... He has a business or consultancy called Watershed and question... Sorry, question to... Through the Chair. Mr. CEO, is that to give me a separate point or is it... So, should that be a separate declaration? Speaker 1: I don't understand. It's the consultancy relating to this particular... To the right of... To the right of... This particular data as well. I don't understand. So, is... I don't understand. I have a question. Councillor Wilkie: I have a question. What is Watershed's... What is your consultancy's relationship to the Noosa River Plan?

00:52:00 That's the matter we're discussing tonight. None. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Can I ask a question? What is Watershed Australia? Can you just tell me a little bit about the consultancy and what it does? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: It's my business name. So, I'm a sole trader. Mayor Stewart: But what exactly do you provide? Tell us about the services that Watershed provides. What does it exactly do? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So, I have a range of expertise. Catchment management and planning, river restoration, town planning, monitoring and evaluation training, reef-related work, but... Local food systems. So, generally, if not exclusively, all my work's either done for government agencies or not-for-profit groups. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Councillor Stockwell, I'm on your... I'm on your... I'm on your website at the moment. I note that under consultancy on your website, you've actually noted Noosa and District Land Care Association, strategic directions, you've facilitated strategic planning workshop with staff, committee and members, review results and prepare synoptic report.

00:53:00 That information is available online to the public. Is that correct? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, sure. And that's part of the declaration if you want to scroll up. Yeah. It said, Land Care. Land Care. And then it says... Oh, no. It's the one, MRCCC. Yeah. That one was less than even what we would consider in a declarable conflict. It was a half state facilitation job and it was quite some time ago. This was 2013, 2014. OK. Councillor Lorentson: OK. agh, the date, 2013, I note is not actually on the website. It appears that you have ongoing consultancy. No. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No, that was the only consultancy I did with Landcare. Councillor Lorentson: In terms, again, I go back to your website, Councillor Stockwell, you have extensive experience on river catchment. My question is, were you involved or had anything to do with the report in front of us? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Oh, yeah, I'm a councillor's noose of Shire. Mayor Stewart: Did you have, to go further to Councillor Lorentson's question,

00:54:00 prior to the report coming to us, did you have any involvement in regard to that? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: As a councillor, I ask questions, I respond to feedback, I provide suggestions, have done since 2016. Mayor Stewart: So you provided suggestions to the staff in regard to the Noosa River plan, is that correct? Councillor Lorentson: Oh, yeah. So did you have anything to do with the inclusion of a conservation park? Councillor Wilkie: No. I'm happy to move the motion. Which is? The motion that the council note the declarable conflicts of interest by Councillor Stockwell and determine that Councillor Stockwell participates and votes in this matter because the council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest and that Councillor Stockwell's business interests have no involvement with the Noosa River plan. He does not stand to gain personally from it. I'll second that.

00:55:00 Mayor Stewart: Through you, Chair, can I ask a question? You can in a minute. Councillor, would you like to speak to this? Yes. Councillor Wilkie: You've moved it. Yes. Councillors, we've had these declarations before with quiz Councillor Stockwell before. I'm concerned that there's an extra level of inquisitorial cross-examination going on tonight trying to draw an unsubstantiated interest between councillors' business interests as a consultant and the formation of the Noosa River plan. It's trying to cast dispersions, cause confusion, and possibly try to knock a councillor out of a debate. And I don't think that's equitable. I don't think it's the right way to go, considering that we've always... Councillor Stockwell's always been open and declared his interests, which is the main thing. They're on the table. He's not profiting from taking part in this decision about the Noosa River plan. He hasn't.

00:56:00 And any inference is improper. Any inference that he has is improper. Mayor Stewart: I'll speak to that. Can you move it down, please, Vicki? Councillor Stockwell himself today said that the third... The third... One of the declarations was the first time it's been declared. So we haven't actually prosecuted Councillor Wilkie in regard to the declaration. In his own words, it's come before us first. Where... That's correct. That's correct, isn't it, Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I can clarify. In previous times when we've dealt specifically with health and land and water, I've declared the interest and left the room. So this is the first time where... Because only recently the person I've worked with has left the organisation, so I believe it's fairly clear that the business relationship has come to an end. Mayor Stewart: Never before have I asked the question, nor do I think anyone at this table, has Councillor Stockwell provided advice or feedback to the staff

00:57:00 in regard to a plan that is coming before us. I think that compromises Councillor Stockwell, and I think it is prudent that he is out of the room. Based on that fact and those statements, I will not be supporting Councillor Stockwell to remain in the room. Nick Cook: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. OK. That's enough. Thanks. Through the chair, I'd just like to remind councillors that the test is not whether we, around the table, think that our council would be influenced by his personal interest. The question is whether a fair minded, reasonable person, a man on the street, believes that there is a possibility that he would be impartial or whether his judgement would be impaired by his personal interest. Uh... Um... Given that the matter in front of us is highly contentious and the subject of considerable community feedback, I think the more important question today is whether Council Stockwell's inclusion would affect public trust.

00:58:00 And for that reason, I'm voting that he leaves the room. Thank you. Thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment. And Chairman, your responsibilities, please. Mayor Stewart: Yes, thank you, Council Stockwell. I was just about to say, we appreciate your interest. But if you could just keep the clapping or the booing or whatever you may do to us, just to yourselves. Thank you. Appreciate it. Councillor Jurisdict. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah, I'm going to vote in favour of Council Stockwell remaining in the room. It's consistent with the position that we've held on these declarations in the past. Its relationship with healthy land and water is not as direct. It's not as directly relatable to the elements of the Noosa Plan as some of the others are. And with relation to his knowledge and experience with regard to river catchment and management,

00:59:00 I believe it's in the public interest that we have someone with such worldly experience in this area in the room to debate. I think we're fortunate to have him on Council and that we all offer our advice and knowledge and experience to staff on the matters, on all matters. Thank you. When they come before Council, particularly where we have the relevant experience. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Jurisdict. Councillor Finzel or Wagner, would you like to talk to this? Councillor Finzel, I'll start with you. Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you. Thank you for everyone's comments around the table. I hear what Councillor Jurisdict says and how each of us brings our own expertise to the table and contribute to the development of the system. We have two decisions made on behalf of the Shire. This evening though, I do have concerns around the disclosure around Councillor Stockwell's

01:00:00 business arrangements with the, was it the Watershed Consultancy Group. My biggest issue here will be the perception of public trust. This is a highly contentious matter. And based on that public trust, I'm not sure if we're going to be able to do that. We've got a lot of people in this room who have been trying to get back into public trust and trying to engender trust within our community and being transparent and open. Firstly, I'd like to say, Councillor Stockwell, thank you for your transparency through your declaration. But tonight, I think that I won't be supporting that you stay in the room. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: Well, I think this is preposterous. Councillor Stockwell has done his job and he is being punished for doing his job. And for working with staff on the river plan and anything to do with water because he is obviously the most educated person on the subjects in Noosa Council.

01:01:00 So here he is being put out of the room for being an expert and for doing his job well. So I will be supporting that Councillor Stockwell does stay in the room. Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wilkie, would you like to close? Councillor Wilkie: There has been no link drawn to Councillor Stockwell benefiting in any way by staying in the room through this discussion. It indicates a weakness to need to resort to such tactics, in my belief, to win an argument that requires full participation. This is not democracy in action. This is inequitable. It is not, in my view, there is no link. It's an improper use of the conflict of interest laws. The important thing is that the Councillor has been open and transparent and declared that in the fall of a packed gallery.

01:02:00 There is no benefit personally or materially to Councillor Stockwell. There is no benefit personally or materially to Councillor Stockwell taking part in this debate. Yes, he did some work for Healthy Waterways. Healthy Waterways is mentioned in this report. I don't even know if Councillor Stockwell's work for Healthy Waterways had anything to do with the information that's provided in this report. He's saying no. This is a tenuous, this is a very tenuous, shadowy link that's been drawn here and it's an easy one to sell because the emotion is there. And it's an easy one to sell to this room because so many of you genuinely have concerns about elements of this park, of this plan, including, especially the conservation park, and you know, and the councillors around this table know, that if the numbers aren't around the table, the proper vote and the proper process is lost, and to my mind, this decision will never be kosher because of this particular decision.

01:03:00 So I'll be supporting Councillor Stockwell to stay in the room, and I'm hoping other councillors can rethink the course that they're taking, and be brave enough just to listen to the debate with everyone in the room. Go by the facts and the arguments, not by the numbers. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: We'll put it to a vote. All in favour? That Councillor Stockwell remains in the room. Councillor Drusvich? Councillor Wilkie? Councillor Wegener: To Councillor Wegener. Wegener. Mayor Stewart: Those against? Stewart? Lawrenston? And Finzel? I have a casting vote. Councillor Stockwell? Councillor Wilkie: I'll move the motion. No, we have...

01:04:00 Speaker 4: Oh, you've got more. Councillor Jurisevic: No, I would like to move the staff recommendation with some additional amendments. Or some additional... Not amendments in this case, because the motion has been before us, but with some additional clauses. No being. And I'm happy to read out the staff recommendation first and foremost, which is that Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer River Strategy and Engagement to the General Committee meeting dated 18 September 2023, and the further report on summary of submissions to the Ordinary Council meeting 26 October 2023 regarding the updated Noosa Catchment Management Plan. And A, adopt the Noosa River Catchment and Imagement Plan for ongoing implementation, noting some implementations will involve further stakeholder engagement and are subject to future budget considerations. And B, authorise the CEO to make minor changes and edits to the plan prior to finalising, designing and publishing the plan.

01:05:00 C, note the possible changes in response to feedback outlined in this report as per attachment 1, and consider if Council wishes to support these. And if supported, authorise the CEO to make these changes prior to finalising the plan. I'd also like to add D, that a paragraph be added under desired outcomes entitled Anchoring that includes items mentioned, such as the proposal to introduce a 28-day anchoring limit in any financial year to reduce the congestion and improve the river's amenity currently being considered by MSQ, as outlined in the report. Speaker 1: I don't think it's got all the words there. Councillor Jurisevic: Considered by MSQ. Noosa C Grassroots and Mangroves, and any other outcomes from the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Group, or in the proposed Actions of the Plan with regards to anchoring. Further to the explanation of a conservation park on page 37 of the Plan, the following be included.

01:06:00 That the concept of a conservation park requires further public consultation with all key stakeholders, including the Department of Environment and Science and the general public, before deciding whether to proceed with its implementation. The process will clearly outline the proposed purpose of such a management structure, undertake a detailed assessment of the current natural, cultural and socio-economic values of the river, evaluate any positive and negative impacts of a conservation park, and prepare a report for consideration by Council and the State Department of Environment and Science, including feedback from the community and other stakeholders. F, that the concept of a conservation park must align with the desired outcomes and uses supported by the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. And G, authorise the CEO to undertake a process of community and stakeholder consultation

01:07:00 on the concept of a conservation park for the fish habitat areas of the Noosa River, which clearly outlines the proposed purpose of such a management structure, outlines other management structure models, that have been considered, undertakes a detailed assessment of current natural, cultural and socio-economic values on the river, evaluates any positive and negative impacts of a conservation park, and prepare a report for consideration by Council and the State Department of Environment and Science, including feedback from the community and other stakeholders. I second that. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Driscoll. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. I do so on the basis of feedback from the community. Last month I agreed to delay the approval of this, and I clearly outlined that I had no objection to the elements of the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. And I say that because I think all of those parameters,

01:08:00 and for the 10 years that I've been here on Council, and for many years before that, I've heard a desire to manage our river and our greatest asset this community has. And I think the work and the, the elements that are outlined and the actions that are proposed work towards achieving that. I think they also deal with the concerns that have been raised by elements of the community, including the Boating and Fishing Alliance, with regard to things like personal watercraft being allowed to proceed further up the river than they currently do. Those opportunities are there in the actions of this plan proposed. So, there'll be an opportunity for that. There'll be an opportunity there to present all of those elements going forward. The reasons I've introduced E is to deal with the feedback that the community has given in the last 30 days. Well, in the last, sorry, since the last meeting.

01:09:00 I won't say 30 days because it's, that's not quite current, since, since that was it. And it's one of the reasons I agreed for that extension of time was so that the concept of a conservation park wasn't something that the community was going to agree on. It was something that the community hadn't heard, but what is put before us today is not to approve a conservation park. That's an element of misinformation that isn't. So, I'm trying to, in these additional points, outline clearly that this is something for consideration only, which needs to go out for a due process with the general public and the stakeholders that all have an element of concern. And interest and the well-being of the river is at their, is at their, the forefront of their consideration. Now, we had some questions raised around the elements of this going forward.

01:10:00 All of those questions are relevant to the process of consideration here. The conservation park, again, is not something that is outlined for adoption here tonight. Right. The only thing that we're putting forward with regard to a conservation park is an idea to consider. Noosa River is not, would not be the only river to have, have a management plan, and would certainly not be the only river to, to have actions to undertake the management and the, to, I've lost my train of thought, and to consider the needs of the, of the greater community for such a great asset. There's certainly the, the Gold Coast waterways are one that come to mind that have a significant plan there in that regard. So, I put it to you that the second part, F, that the concept of a conservation park must align with the desired outcomes and uses supported by the Noosa River catchment management plan.

01:11:00 What that is intended to, to say is that a conservation park being, if, if it was introduced, could not override the Noosa River catchment management plan. It would need to go out again to be completely rewritten. So, that's why I've put in clearly articulating that the conservation park, the concept of a conservation park would go out for further public consultation with all key stakeholders and the general public. And that the concept of a conservation park must align with the Noosa River catchment management plan and not be a, a vehicle for overriding the actions within. Councillor Wilkie: Do you have a motion? Mayor Stewart: Sorry, I can't, what Laurenston got to. Thank you. I'd like to move a deferral motion, a procedure motion. I'll second that. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Jurisevic: Point of order, Madam Chair. We have a motion before us. A procedural motion here would defer to where? Where are we going to defer it to? We don't have another meeting after this to defer it. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Drusevich, the CEO and I have spoken about this prior to, and according to standing orders, a procedural motion can be moved at any time.

01:12:00 And as long as a date is given for next year, that is absolutely able to be achieved. And it's the advice of the CEO. Councillor Jurisevic: I'll ask the CEO for that, for that advice, to clarify that advice. Speaker 1: Certainly. So in our standing orders, the procedural motion is under item 31, that an item, a motion or amendment, now before the meeting, be deferred. This is a procedural motion. However, 31.3 here, that the item, motion or amendment, now before the meeting, be deferred, must specify the time or date to which the debate shall be deferred. And the matter about which the debate is to be deferred shall be included in the business paper before the meeting, identified in section 31.3a. Councillor Wilkie: Question, CEO. Does a council have the power to defer a meeting to that of another term of account, another, a whole new council?

01:13:00 Speaker 1: I wouldn't claim that, yeah. Could be. The, the, the, the situation is solid on that. But my understanding is that it's not going to be deferred. It can be deferred to a, to a future time. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Okay. Well, thank you, Councillor Ernstone. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to defer consideration of the Noosa River catchment plan to enable council to undertake appropriate and full community stakeholder consultation on the final draft in July 20, in the July round of meetings in 2024. And following this process, report back to the general public. And in the July 2024 council with the final and fully-costed Noosa River catchment plan. Sorry. Oh, okay. Sorry. Um, so that council deferred consideration of the Noosa River catchment plan to enable council to undertake appropriate and full community and stakeholder consultation on the final

01:14:00 draft Noosa River catchment plan in 2024. And in following this process, report back to the July 2024 council with the final and full-costed Noosa River catchment plan. Sorry. Councillor Jurisevic: Point of order, Madam Chair. Can I correct the, uh, language there? It's the Noosa River catchment management plan, as I understand it. The management plan. Yes, sir. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor, for your prudence. Um, if we could just add, uh, a management in there and, uh, an M at the end. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. And last one. Last, last word. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Morrison. Councillor Lorentson: Um, I'll speak to the motion. Um, the Noosa community support a Noosa River catchment management plan. In particular, they support measures aimed at excluding sediment, chemicals, and human waste entering the river. In particular, um, actions prioritising anchoring, mooring, river boards, and sediment.

01:15:00 What the community don't support is not to be consulted on sediment management plans. They support to be considered on significant matters that have the impact or the potential to impact the livelihoods and lifestyles, such as the late inclusion of the recommendation to consider establishing a conservation park. Councils have heard from the general manager of the Boating Industry Association, the chair of the Australian Fishing Trade Association, who have expressed that they are troubled by the inclusion of the conservation park concept, and it was, as it was not part or never part of the conservation park concept, it was not part of the conservation park concept. We've heard from community. We've heard from stakeholders. And it's clear from the number of people here this evening, the 2,400 signed petition, the 207 signed petition opposing the plan, and by the hundreds and hundreds of emails, both for and against the plan, social media posts, the published newspaper articles, and news

01:16:00 reports, that there is widespread confusion. We've heard from community. There has been insufficient time and process allocated for the community to fully understand what the impacts of the conservation park might be. There has been no substantial or acceptable explanation to the community as to why the significant change, that is the inclusion of the conservation park, was made two months ago without broad and appropriate consultation. And why other models, such as the conservation park model, have not been made available to the community. How did we go straight to a conservation park status recommendation? It is therefore not reasonable, nor right, to be pushing through a river plain before an election that is causing undue stress and confusion in the community and causing distrust in council.

01:17:00 This does not reflect meaningful community engagement. It simply destroys the public's confidence in the integrity of this council. This does not reflect meaningful community engagement. By deferring the matter to next year, we lose nothing. Funding is not at risk. And our river is not at risk. I'd like to remind councillors that the Noosa River has already some of the most restricted state protections by way of fish habitat areas, and declared under Queensland Fisheries Act 1994. Under this state legislation, fish habitat areas are only protected under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994. The purpose of this state legislation aims to ensure that fishing in the future is protected by protecting fish habitats. Further, there is no authorisation needed under state legislation to access declared fish habitat areas for community uses.

01:18:00 The state legislation is fair and it is equitable. It is an equitable management approach for all stakeholders, recreational, traditional, commercial fishing, and recreational fishing. So the question on everyone's mind is why are we trying to change that? Today the issue is not about a conservation park, it's not even about a river management plan. It's about public trust. This community has felt misled. The importance of public interest and public participation in decision making and the importance of maintaining the public's confidence in the integrity of our council should be the only basis of the decision before us. And that's why I'm recommending a deferral. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you everyone.

01:19:00 Can I have my photos please? Speaker 1: Photos please. Speaker 4: Can you hear me? We can. Mayor Stewart: Can you hear me? Councillor Wegener, we're going to Councillor Wilkie who's stood up. Councillor Wegener: Okay. Mayor Stewart: We'll get to you next. Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Bear with me everyone. In late 1934 Howard Parkin and Alex Gibson landed a 454 pound groper, that's 206 kilograms, at Tewantin, reportedly near where the old bar's are, near the marina. According to the newspaper, the time dated December 5th, 1934, it took Howard and Alec over half an hour to land the fish, which was seven foot, or 2.13 metres long, and smashed the previous record of a 300 pound groper caught 12 years previously by the Massos. The groper was purchased by a Tewantin fish merchant who sent it to the Brisbane fish markets.

01:20:00 Before it was caught, there had been reports of a very large fish in the vicinity, but no one knew exactly what it was, or what it looked like. Until Howard and Alec hooked it, wrestled it, and landed it, just like the river plant. For years it's been out there lurking. It surfaces now and then, and depending on our individual interests, there's been different reports of what it actually is. That's because year by year, with each public consultation, it gets bigger and bigger, and more gets added to it from individuals and groups, and continuous feedback. The Noosa River Plan represents the responsibilities of multiple state government agencies. It's loved by millions, subject to the needs of countless interests, some of them pulling in different directions. It is a monster of a plan, and no one has been able to land the beast, except I had hope for tonight.

01:21:00 The growth of the river plan started again in 2017 when Council reviewed and updated the 2004 Noosa River Plan. Taking a more comprehensive, whole-of-catchment approach to protecting, balancing the environmental, economic, and social interests of the river and catchment for everyone. After more consultation with internal and community consultation in 2018, it grew again into an updated version of the previous draft plan. That plan version was endorsed for further public consultation in November 2019, and a second round of community consultation occurred from December to January 2019. That's why we're here today. Again, new ideas were added to it, and it grew bigger. From April 2021 to March 2023, the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee advised Council and MSQ on river priorities. They knew that because the plan was so big, the wise thing for their group to do was to

01:22:00 focus on a narrow range of interests such as tackling anchoring, mooring, and liveables, which they've done really well. Thanks to a process that was Council-run, Maritime Safety Queensland are proposing to introduce a 28-day anchoring limit in any year to reduce river congestion and improve amenity. This is expected to be considered by the Transport Minister in the second half of 2024. More recent targeted stakeholder engagement was conducted, including those listed in the rear of the draft plan over the past five months, and more ideas were added, including that of a conservation project. That version of the river plan went to Council last month, where it was decided to go out for further feedback. Even that limited, unplanned consultation last month has resulted in another list of 40 changes and additions, three pages long, and the plan changes again, but in a good way. And no one's seen that version in its entirety either.

01:23:00 One of the additions to outcomes helped dispel fears that the river is going to be locked down by the end of the year. It made it clear that the plan is intended to recognise and balance all interests. It reads, Residents, one of the outcomes from the feedback is that residents continue to enjoy recreational pursuits including motorised and non-motorised watercraft on an uncongested and safe river. We all want that. With every consultation, the plan grows into a new version that few have seen in its entirety. We can get caught up in an endless, bureaucratic, absurd cycle of needing to have more consultation on versions that have resulted from more consultation. Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing, which this plan is, makes it even harder. To use the analogy, we've been playing this fish for years as it grows bigger and bigger and gets harder to land. And we had hoped it was time to reel this thing in tonight and endorse it.

01:24:00 That's why this plan has consultation built into it. Especially for a conservation park concept, such as Councillor Durisovic's motion. One of the changes from the latest consultation is to make it clear that Action 1-1 involves undertake consultation with all key stakeholders as part of a thorough investigation into the consideration of establishing a conservation park across fish habitat areas. The report states while the draft plan includes an option to consider a conservation park, there is no guarantee this will occur. And as one of several potential models being investigated to deliver integrated river management with multiple state agencies that have regulatory powers in and around the river. Establishing a conservation park would require Council to consult with the Department of Environment and Science. If the Department supported the idea, Council would then

01:25:00 need to undertake a detailed feasibility study. The items in the motion there include an assessment of the current natural, cultural and socio-economic values of the river. Undertake public consultation to assess the pros and cons and their impacts of a conservation park. It wouldn't happen without consulting with you in the first place. That was always the intention. It's built into the plan. Consultation is built into the plan. Then they have to prepare a report to the Minister. To assess the proposal should the Council wish to pursue gazettal based on the outcome of public consultation. Community use including boating, commercial and recreational fishing is allowed in a conservation park as it currently is in the existing fish habitat areas. There were inaccurate reports suggesting Council was planning to remove fossil fuel boats from the river. And I understand that's why many are here tonight. There is no proposal to remove fossil fuel boats from the river.

01:26:00 The conservation park proposal extends over the already protected existing fish habitat areas. As you can see from the map, don't worry about the map, but it covers all areas of the river except the stretch from the marina at Tewantin along Gympie Terrace and Noosa Sound to the river mouth. The declaration of a fish habitat area also does not restrict existing legal, recreational, traditional or commercial fishing. The conservation park is worth at least exploring as a means of giving Noosa Council a voice at the table with state government agencies. This could help ensure other state agencies keep their focus and have the resources needed to keep the river healthy, safe, clean, uncluttered and teeming with fish and other aquatic life for everyone. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: I'm almost finished. Mayor Stewart: Well, you've been two minutes over. Councillor Wilkie: It's a...

01:27:00 I beg your... Councillor Jurisevic: Madam Chair, we've always given grace. Right. OK. Councillor Wilkie: We need to finish. I beg you to... Thank you for your patience, everyone. OK. This could help keep other agencies, keep their focus and keep the river the way we want it for everyone in the future. The 2015 Community Jury Findings and former Noosa River Plan had Council seeking to take over control of the river from state for anchoring, mooring and liveaboards. This interest prompted the state to step up its on-water monitoring. It has done that. Taking over from the state is no longer an action, but the conservation park idea could at least give us a seat at the table to ensure all agencies function as they should. This plan, including public consultation for a conservation park, gives us the best chance of ensuring we hand down a river to our children. That is clean, uncluttered, safe, and teeming with fish and aquatic life for all users. At the start of 2020, four years have gone by and Noosa doesn't have an endorsed river

01:28:00 plan. At the start of 2020, at the start of just before that election in March 2020, in the early January, February, we're in exactly the same position as we are now. Too controversial for an election. At the start of 2020, the same position. The river plan is no longer in place. The river plan is still splashing about and no decision. I'm pleading with councillors tonight. Let's not let this many-sided beast run again, grow bigger, get away on us for another four years. I had hoped we could land it tonight together. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Just so I have a question through the chair. Yes. Just if I could look at my motion. I just want to check. I actually articulated that the final draft would come from the council. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wegener: Yeah, it won't be so long. To defer the river plan is an act of environmental vandalism.

01:29:00 We've been waiting for this for so long. The public have been waiting for this plan forever. Well, 20 years. We know that the river needs our help. We know that we can't help it because it's entirely within our own Shire. The studies clearly show that the seagrass is disappearing. The benthic life is dying off rapidly. We can't even remember what it was like in its heyday. It's gone from our living memory. We think that the state is good enough. Well, tell that to all those other rivers out there. Does the state do good enough for the Mauritian River, the Brisbane River, all the other rivers? I think not. We cannot kick the rug that can down the road anymore. This will be a disgrace of our Council, of our leadership for four years if we can't pass this.

01:30:00 Councillor Wegener: We cannot kick the can down the road. And trusting Council. You know, Council does an amazing job with our biosphere. We've done an amazing job with our national parks, with our environment levy, with purchasing trees, with more quality here now than it appears to be. A few years ago, we do an amazing job with our environment in Noosa. To say that the public doesn't trust Noosa Council to manage the river is just baloney. It's hard to imagine, actually. So I implore you to pass the river management plan. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Councillor Finzel. Speaker 5: Yes, thank you. Councillor Finzel: It's been a robust debate around the table. I'd like to thank all my colleagues. This is a really challenging decision tonight. But here we find ourselves talking about the monster of the plan.

01:31:00 And like this river, it ebbs and flows. It has its highs and lows. And thank you, Councillor, sorry, Wilkie, for your journey down history. It was like we were on a boat heading down the river. I think together we agree that we can all want to support a healthy, clean, uncluttered and safe river now and into the future for all our generations. I agree with Councillor Wegener around the fact that we want to look after our environment. And we are. We have a clean rating on our river. And daily people are looking after our river, playing in our river, respecting our river.

01:32:00 Speaker 5: We are in a biosphere. Councillor Finzel: And part of that is living in harmony with our environment. Man in the biosphere being harmonious within our environment. The community consultation and discord that has arisen around this draft plan would be anything from harmonious. There's been many conversations, emails, meetings and energy put into people wanting to have their voice heard around this plan. I think a reasonable person would agree that it's gone on for 20 odd years, would agree that supporting Councillor Lorentson's motion for a procedural motion and specifying the date in July 2024

01:33:00 for a final and fully costed NRCP is not unreasonable. And I will be supporting that recommendation tonight. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Wegener talks about environmental vandalism. What is environmental vandalism? It's the liverboards and the moorings across our rivers that are leaking effluent, leaking sewage. They're cluttering our river. We want to tackle that. We want to tackle the environment. We want to improve the river. That's where we start. And it has bipartisan support. Councillor Wegener also talks about it's a disgrace. Well, I'll tell you what is a disgrace. A disgrace is if we don't listen to our community. We have 2,800 people, a packed house and hundreds of people out there telling us we're not listening. Telling us we're not listening. We need to listen. That's our job. That's what we're elected here to do, to be a voice and listen to our community. Councillor Lorentson had a petition of over 2,000 people. I had one of 207.

01:34:00 Those people don't think they've been heard. They haven't. They haven't been consulted on the conservation park. Councillor Wilkie talked about the history and all the consultation. One problem. No one's been consulted on the conservation park. Despite all those years of conservation, in this instance, at this time, not one person has been consulted on the conservation park and that's why we're here. You said it yourself, Councillor Wilkie. No one's seen this plan in its entirety. This is a community that has such pride and love for its river. This is a document for our community. The number one thing we must do is show that to our community and have their feedback. If no one's seen it in its entirety, well, that just absolutely lends weight to the fact that we haven't gone to community consultation. Last night, I was in Brisbane and I had the opportunity to talk to the minister responsible for the river. On two separate occasions, his staff at one point

01:35:00 and then the minister himself last night. And I reiterated the importance of our river to him about how we want the liveaboards addressed, how we want the houseboats addressed, how we want the moorings, how we want the effluent cleaned up. And that's where our focus is and that's what we should be doing. The state is the big brother in this. They have the jurisdiction and they have the legislation. We can advocate and that is our role. We have heard and I have an email here from the CEO of the Council of Mayors saying we don't have to have a plan to get funding. In fact, because we joined the Council of Mayors, we are now part of the Resilient Rivers Program, which is then the beneficiary of up to $40 million for South East Queensland. So let's advocate with them. Let's work with them. Let's work with the state. Let's work with the state who has the jurisdiction to advocate for our river and let's get the funding and let's not have our ratepayer having to pay for it.

01:36:00 In its current form, I cannot support the river plan. There are aspects about it and it talks about the liveaboards and it talks about the moorings and it talks about sediment control. And they're good things, but I can't support it in its current form because the community doesn't support it. Those 2,000 people or plus who have signed the petition have as much right to have their say as anyone else. After all, it's everyone's river. I believe that the perception of this report is being compromised. And at the end of the day, as Billy Joel is saying, it's a matter of trust. And we need to get your trust back. And I want to quote, which I hope the resident who sent it to me, I won't name him because I haven't sought his approval for the quote, but I thought this sums it up really well. It says, this is everyone's river and we all want to see it flourish. But we all need to have a seat at the table on this one as it's the lifeblood of Noosa.

01:37:00 I think that's something we all agree on. I'll be supporting Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Wilkie: I have a question. Question. The 2400 signature petition we received states that a conservation park would directly affect Noosa North Shore residents for infrastructure issues and all members of the community for general access uses of the river. So you can understand why 2400 people signed that. So my question to staff is, would a conservation park directly affect Noosa North Shore residents for infrastructure issues and general members of the community for general access and use of the river? Is that a question for Director Rawlings? Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Kim. So we have Director Kim online. Thank you, Kim. Speaker 5: Good evening. Good evening, Councillors. And through the Chair. Excuse me. I'm just getting a bit of feedback. Mayor Stewart: You're all right, Kim. We can hear you quite clearly.

01:38:00 Speaker 5: Just in response to Councillor Wilkie's question, no, the conservation park is not... Firstly, it's a concept. It's a concept for consideration. It needs to go through a full assessment and full feasibility to weigh up all the issues as outlined in the report. So there's a lot of consideration that needs to happen before this concept could even be advanced. But no, absolutely not. Council does not have the power to restrict access to the river in terms of vessels, nor is there the intention that this concept of conservation park would impact on infrastructure in the river. There are a range of issues that need to be dealt with in the river, and there are a range of encroachments

01:39:00 and things in the river that need to be dealt with. But this is not the concept or model that is intended to do that. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Another question, if I may. Sorry. Thank you, Kim. Another question for you on when this motion is ratified tonight becomes the decision of the Council, and we're all bound to support that, and we will. The question I have is if... Can I see the motion, please, that we're voting on? Yeah. That the further community consultation, the full community and stakeholder consultation on the final draft in 2024, after it goes out to full community consultation and feedback is gathered, if it contains more interesting ideas like the conservation plan or a marine park zone, which is even more restrictive,

01:40:00 how are we going to manage that? Because the report that comes to Council in July, with these new concepts in it, that'll be the first time the community has seen that version of the plan as well. So how will it be managed? So that might have been too hard a question to answer. Yeah. Mayor Stewart: Kim, do you want to have a crack at that? Or... Speaker 5: Look, what I will say is that when you develop a plan or a strategy that's had input from the community in consultation, often ideas come up through that process, and they are then captured in the final plan. The final plan is then reported to Council. So, yes, there's likely to be new ideas and new concepts in the final plan. That happens with all our plans that we consult on. So, I think what Councillor Wilkie's

01:41:00 alluding to is that there may be new ideas in that plan. Do we then re-consult on that plan? So, yes, I guess I would just confirm that, yes, when you do consultation on a draft plan, you take on board feedback and ideas from a range of stakeholders and the public and the community, and there's always great ideas that come through. Staff assess those. Those that respond to issues, or are important to the community, are of merit, do make their way into the plans, and those final plans are reported to Council for endorsement and, you know, often have a range of new ideas in them. Councillor Wilkie: So, just to clarify, if there's something even more... If there's something actually radical in there, like a marine park proposal that would have real implications to restrict all sorts of fishing, if enacted, that would require more consultation, then would you build the consultation into the plan

01:42:00 as part of...as an action, like you've tried to do with the consultation built into the plan for the conservation park idea? Would you propose to handle it the same way as we did here, so at least we draw this endless cycle of consultation to an end? Mayor Stewart: Yeah, can I... No, I'll say it. Kim, I thank you, Council. We appreciate your comments. But I do feel that this is... Some of them are somewhat hypothetical and they're potentially scaremongering when you're talking about marine parks and you're asking the... You're asking the Kim questions that she can't ask. These are hypotheticals. We're dealing with the motion before us to defer it. Let's stick to that. Councillor Jurisevic: Point of order, Madam Chair. The Council has asked a question and the staff member has not been given an opportunity to iterate whether she can or can't answer the question. I think the question should stand. Mayor Stewart: Kim, would you like to answer the question or do you have...

01:43:00 I mean, this seems to be going around in circles. Would you like to wrap it up? Speaker 5: Through the Chair, could that question be repeated, please? I didn't catch the... Mayor Stewart: Really? Sure, sure. I thought you said about misery and saying... Sure. Councillor Wilkie: Lost in translation. So, Kim, I said once this motion is passed tonight, it comes a vote of the Council and we all support that and we will. My question is when this next round of public consultation comes up where we could get more ideas that come in that may be very, very interesting, may have more implications for uses of the river than the concept of a conservation park. So how will... If that idea comes through and we want to go to Council in July 24, will we... Because it's the first... That version of the plan will be the first time it's ever seen, will that version need to go out for another consultation because people won't have seen it for the first time and be demanding more consultation? Or will consultation be built into the river plan,

01:44:00 the final draft, next year, like it was... Like you attempted to do for the conservation park concept? Mayor Stewart: Councillor Wilkie, we're going to have this acting CEO answer that. Speaker 1: Kim, I'm happy to take that. Based on the motion that we had before us, so if we're looking to July, then with every plan, the idea is it's an iterative process. So new ideas come through, we test them, we bring them back and it works. At some point, yes, you have to draw on. And that's... With every plan, that's what happens. You're not going to please everybody, but you have to draw on. But what would happen through this process, if this is agreed and I'm thinking it through as I'm reading it, that the idea would be, we've got a lot of work already there, the idea would be to take that through, bring it through and then iterate, consult, bring it back, adjust the report

01:45:00 and eventually you'll get to a point where we need to make a decision. And that's what you're trying to get to too, Councillor. We're all trying to get to that point, is to get a decision. So what we would do is just keep working it, working it, it's almost like molding it and then you come to a position where we're all comfortable that that's the best position we can take. So yes, that would be the process. But what's in that plan, to start speculating different things in it, is too early to say and it's not fair on our officers to do any of that at this point in time. It's just an iterative process and this is a long, hasn't been a long process and we're trying to get to a point where we're all comfortable with it. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm not sure whether Councillor Finzel has a hand up. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Finzel, do you have your, thank you. Councillor Finzel, do you have your hand up or is that from previous? Councillor Finzel: Yes, yes I do. Thank you. Through the Chair, I have a question for staff online to Kim. Considering when we come to making, decision making on Council,

01:46:00 we look at risk mitigation, sound fiscal management, meaningful community consultation, what do you identify perhaps the top risks to the, river or environmental impacts, if this procedural motion tonight is supported and it goes through to July 20, 25? Mayor Stewart: Kim, we have Mr. CEO and acting CEO who might answer this for you. If you want to add, please feel free but Larry, go to Larry first. Speaker 1: Sorry, Councillor Finzel, but I think that's a very difficult question for our officers to answer at this point in time in terms of the topic tonight. This is, again, this has been a process that's been going for a number of years. We've been working through it. The river is, you know, in good shape. We're lucky for that,

01:47:00 for that fact. All we're trying to do is, is make sure that we maintain that and make it better. And that's what the plan is about and that's, that's what this next process, if this is the way we're, we're bound to go, then we would, we would work through that and ensure that, you know, whatever is brought back to the table is the best thing for the river and for the community. Councillor Lorentson: Through the Chair, can I ask a question with Kim? Lots of great ideas have come out over the last 14 days and I've got a great idea in front of me and it was submitted by Neil Patchett, who's the General Manager of the Boating Industry Association. Is it possible, and this is his idea, is it possible that after consultation and addressing Council Wilkie's concerns about is there going to be consultation, top of consultation, top of consultation, is it possible that we just remove these models out of the Noosa River Plan

01:48:00 and that's, and we can run that as a separate process and that way we can endorse a plan and then consideration of all these other options, whether it's a river trust or a conservation park, that takes its own path with public consultation and feasibility studies, et cetera. Mayor Stewart: Thanks. Councillor Lorentson: Kim. Speaker 5: Thanks, Councillor Lorentson. And through the Chair, yes, that's absolutely possible that the concept of the conservation plan model to be looked at could come out of the Noosa River Plan and yes, absolutely. I could go on but simple answer to your question, is it possible? Yes, it's possible. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. I'll speak to the procedural motion which I haven't done. Yes, Councillor Lorentson, that could have been done here tonight. We didn't have to defer the entire catchment management plan. We could have dealt

01:49:00 with the element of contention within the community as my motion attempted to do and that is reiterate the fact that we were going to go out, we could go out to full public consultation on the element that has contention within the community as my feedback from the community told me that that was the element that they couldn't deal with or that they needed further time to comprehend, understand and actually go through due process. So, we put that strategy together from public consultation comes back that we put in there, then reiterate, causes us to then go, oh, we've got a new idea. Sorry, we're going to go out to a public consultation on the new idea that's been put into a plan because we've got something that the public hasn't heard of before. This is something that, okay, this, and the reason

01:50:00 is because, yeah, you're right, probably some of them hadn't heard it. There was a new idea thrown in but the new idea wasn't to implement. It was to consider and go out for public consultation so the public could understand what was being proposed. Not so the public would then turn around and go, it's going to stop us having boats in the river and every other thing, every other conspiracy element that has been put forward in the last, in the last month with regard to what is not articulated in the plan. None of those things are said in the plan. Councillor Wilkie articulated that, that element quite, quite clearly. And in my reading of the plan and in my communications with those people that have said, this is in the plan, that's in the plan and I've said to them, we must be reading two different documents because that's not my interpretation or my understanding of what is before us. I have sat here

01:51:00 for 10 years in this chamber. I've been a part of 10 years in this chamber and in these buildings and I have heard all of the challenges that people have brought to us about the elements of the river. This document gave us the opportunity and gives us the opportunity to go forward and deal with all of those things that people have brought to the table. Instead, we're now going to defer it to July 2024 with God knows what and God knows who at the table. Be careful what you wish for. You may not get what's in front of us. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Councillor Arrested. Councillor Jaruzavek, a conservation park has never been mentioned in any previous planning documents. A conservation park has never been mentioned in draft river plans. A conservation park has never been mentioned in council strategic plans.

01:52:00 MSQ's own River Advisory Committee had no idea about a conservation park. There has never been full disclosure of the water and there has been no meaningful opportunity for the community to review. Mayor Stewart: I think Councillor Lorentson: I need to make this clear. It's not councillors that are putting this plan at risk. It's the last-minute inclusion of a conservation park that has put this the plan at risk. It is disingenuous to say that there has been previous consultation with the community and stakeholders when the idea of a conservation park only came to council two months ago. It's disingenuous to say that there has been extensive previous consultation when there has been no information and no detail has been put forward about what the impacts will be in establishing a legislated park.

01:53:00 A declaration regarding the potential of a conservation park should not occur. It cannot occur without full community consultation. Creating a conservation park to be managed solely by council is a significant undertaking and cannot occur without full community consultation. Without detailed community briefing, without community participation and a majority community buy-in, it should simply not progress. Councillors, we lose by endorsing this plan tonight. What's in front of us is the right thing. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Laurenston. I will put this to a vote. All in favour of Councillor Laurenston's procedural motion. Councillor Stewart, Councillor Laurenston, Karen and Tom, I cannot see your hands. No. Councillor Finzel: Sorry,

01:54:00 can you just call that again, please? Mayor Stewart: Yes. This is the vote for are you in favour of Councillor Lorentson's procedural motion to defer this until next year? Can I read the whole procedural motion again to Councillor Finzel, please? Yes, please. Okay. So the procedural motion before us is that Councillor Lorentson moved, I seconded, that Council defer consideration of the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan to enable Council to undertake appropriate and full community and stakeholder consultation on the final draft Noosa River Catchment Management Plan in 2024. And following this process, report back to the July 2024 Council with a final and fully costed Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Madam Chair. Mayor Stewart: I will support Councillor Finzel: Councillor Lorentson's procedural motion. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. And against?

01:55:00 Councillor Drusevich, Councillor Wilkie, and Councillor Wagner. Correct, Councillor Wagner? I have the casting vote. That motion is supported. Councillor Laurenston, your motion is successful. And I would like to add, this has been a very emotive issue, and I want to acknowledge this has taken its toll on all of us, and it's taken its toll on staff. So I want to acknowledge them in this process as well. And I want to thank the community for your input, for your feedback, and for your interest. This is your river, and this is your plan. Absolutely. Councillor Finzel: It's very important. A Mayor Stewart: great moment for us to be. It's a wonderful moment. I hope you have a great night.

01:56:00 Thank you. Speaker 6: I hope it's a great Thank you. Nick Cook: You have all your councils next to you mate, just one moment. Councillor Jurisevic: Ready? City? Where are we? Mayor Stewart: Thank you. We have one confidential item on our agenda. That is confidential, not public release, Council of Conduct complaint investigation.

10 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION ¶

▶ 01:56:12

01:57:00 Nick Cook: Clear? Councillor Wilkie: Yes. I'll move that we go into... You can't do that yet, you can't do that yet. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I wish to declare that I declare a conflict of interest in this matter, declare a conflict of interest in this matter as I'm subject to the investigation in the matter before Council. I will leave the room while matter is considered and voted on. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you, Council. Mayor Stewart: As this item is confidential, I'll move that we go... Any other conflicts? No. Councillor Wegener, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: No conflicts, Madam Chair. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Well, as this item is confidential, I'll move that we go into confidential session.

01:58:00 Another second up, thank you. I'm happy to have a second, Madam Chair. All in favour? Speaker 6: Yes. Yes. Yes. David. Speaker 5: Karen. Councillor Finzel: Yes, Madam Mayor. I think that's... . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor Stewart: Thank you, unanimous thank you. We are now open to the public. Councillor Jurisevic: Somebody's going to have to move the resolution. Okay, who wants to move the resolution? I'm happy

01:59:00 Councillor Lorentson: to move the resolution that council note the confidential report of the acting CEO. Oh, can you move that? Yeah, that's it. Yeah, that's it. CEO to the ordinary meeting dated 26 October 2023 and a pursuant to section 150 AG1 of the Local Government Act 2009. Council finds that on 12 March 2023 and 13th of March 2023, Council Stockwell engaged in inappropriate conduct by breaching the code of conduct for councillors in Queensland requirement for councillors to treat council employees with courtesy and fairness by sending emails to persons with allegations that recommendations provided within a council officer's report had been in breach or in potential breach of the council's employee code of conduct. B, pursuant to section 150 AH1B1

02:00:00 and three of the local government. Sorry, 1B2. Two. Okay, a bit blind. It's a bit difficult to read. It's so hard to read. Of the Local Government Act, council formally expresses its disapproval of the inappropriate conduct engaged in by Council Stockwell and orders as follows. A, Council Stockwell is reprimanded for his inappropriate conduct and B, Council Stockwell is to attend training or counselling at the council's expense within a period of three months from the date of this order to address the council's conduct. Thank you. Do we have a seconder? I'll second it. Councillor Lorentson? No, no need to speak. Yeah, anyone like to speak to it? I Mayor Stewart: can second that. I've been seconded. I've already seconded. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All right, we'll put it to a vote. All in favour? Speaker 1: No. Yes.

02:01:00 Tom? Yes. Mayor Stewart: Yes, that's unanimous. Thank you very much. That brings us to the end of the meeting. What a whopper. No further confidential sessions. The next ordinary meeting will be held at council chambers on the 16th of November, 2023. I declare the meeting closed at, let me get the time, 7.45pm. Councillor Wilkie: Well done. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

10.1 CONFIDENTIAL - NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - COUNCILLOR CONDUCT COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION ¶

▶ 02:43:22

Council's recording ends before this item. Where a meeting resolved to close its doors, that is what the end of the recording means — see what council discussed in private.

12 NEXT MEETING ¶

▶ 02:44:41

Council's recording ends before this item. Where a meeting resolved to close its doors, that is what the end of the recording means — see what council discussed in private.

13 MEETING CLOSURE ¶

▶ 02:45:52

Council's recording ends before this item. Where a meeting resolved to close its doors, that is what the end of the recording means — see what council discussed in private.