1 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶
00:00:00 Mayor Stewart: I'd like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I know that all Councillors are in attendance except for Councillor Stockwell who we have attending via Teams. Now we will need to have someone move a motion to have Councillor Stockwell attend via Teams. Speaker 1: I move the appropriate motion to call for section 254 of the Labor Government Resolution to Councillor Stockwell. We approve Councillor Stockwell to attend the meeting dated the 18th 1st 2024 via Microsoft Teams. I move. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. All in favour? Carried unanimously. Welcome, Councillor Stockwell. Good evening. Thank you. Good evening. Can I please have a mover for the confirmation of the minutes of the ordinary meeting 14th of December? Move it. I have a second. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Brian? Yes. Thank you. There are no mayoral minutes. I believe we have two petitions tonight. The first is from Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I have a motion. I have a petition from the community group, Residents Against Unregulated Short-Term Rent
2 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ¶
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2.1 ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 14 DECEMBER 2023 ¶
00:01:00 Approval, expressing concern at many aspects of the implementation of the short-stay-let local wall. Among their requirements is that they would like Council's priority to be protecting residents from the impacts of properties used for short-stay-letting through timely, complete and well-managed implementation of the existing local wall, including the commitment that when considering approval and registration of properties, they should be protected. They would like Council to take immediate, positive steps, including a deadline of June 30, 2024, for dwellings offered for short-stay to be approved and registered, forfeiture of short-stay opportunities for those owners who do not apply for registration by June 30. Otherwise, the local law is meaningless. Forfeiture should include previously registered properties that have not renewed registration,
00:02:00 but continue to operate, adequate staffing levels to achieve these objectives, an automatic review process by a senior Council officer of all STA approvals, challenged by neighbours before approval is finalised, a three-strikes-you're-out policy to deal with properties where complaints are consistently lodged and upheld, a hotline website that in real-time lists against property registrations, time and date of complaints lodged and complaints settled, a review of the operation of the hotline overall, including the effectiveness of security services engaged to meet the local law's requirement of a 30-minute response at all times, total transparency of all data related to short-stay, including real-time numbers on the Council website of all requests for approvals received, plus addresses of approvals and registrations granted of applications declined and showed cause notices issued. A review of the code of conduct, refreshing it to include Council's declaration of principle restatement of key issues impacting residential amenity, including maximum of two persons
00:03:00 per bedroom, 9pm outdoor curfews, including pools and off-street parking, no more short-term approvals in medium and high-density residential zones as recommended, and short-stay registration renewals to include consideration of complaints, registered owner-manager response to them, with submissions and comments to be acted upon. I ask that the petition, with 16 signatures submitted by Rastra, the question that Council take these positive steps be received and referred to the Chief Executive Officer to determine the appropriate action. Mayor Stewart: Do we have a seconder for that? Thank you, Councillor Durris-Leach. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? Councillor Stockwell, I'm sorry, I can't see you. Councillor Wilkie: Oh, that's my... Mayor Stewart: That's not your... We can't... Yep, yep. Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: Yes. Mr. CEO, Madam Mayor, I'd like to submit this petition containing 3,007 signatures
00:04:00 showing that Bus Stop Espresso has overwhelming new-so-resident support, and that it has substantial value as a tourist destination. And the petitioner states, we respectfully submit this petition signed by 3,007 Disneyland residents and visitors to the business called Bus Stop Espresso. Unlike many petitions that accost random members of the public on the streets, this petition has employed change.org, which requires properly made submissions, including postcodes, which has helped create an accurate mapping of bus stop customers and supporters. Secretaries were invited to leave comments. Hundreds have done so, many referring to the time during COVID when bus stops opened and became a social lifeline for so many, which it still does today. You'll immediately see this is a pie chart, which has the numbers, which it does today.
00:05:00 Newson Council itself recognized that value in contracting. And the President's office has commissioned a 14 week bus stop to reach out to affected residents for a six week period by, six week period by providing a free coffee attraction to Hintel and residents impacted by COVID and the Black Mountain landslide. COVID is a word incidentally that does not appear in the Noosa plan because the pandemic had not occurred at the time of writing a chart analyzing the geographic makeup of signatories by postcode is also attached. It's on the table here, identifying the three, This is a huge support for the continuation of the business in its present form from hinterland residents, but also is evident success as a tourist attraction. The chart indicates that more than 500 bus stop visitors from New South Wales and Victoria alone signed the petition. Ironically, the same Council meeting in November last year where Council decided the effective closure of Bus Stop Espresso,
00:06:00 Council also asked that Bus Stop continue to supply information on its trading and approval field. So, Mr. CEO, here it is. Mayor Stewart: Do you have a second for that petition? I'm having a second. Oh, okay. All right. Council Lorentzen, all in favour? Carriage Anonymous. Council Stockwell, sorry. Thank you. It keeps going off, sorry. There are no notified motions. There are no presentations. We have one deputation from Deborah Walsh. Good evening, Ms. Walsh. Would you like to come up to the podium? And you have 15 minutes for your deputation. So, welcome. It's nice to see you again. Deborah Walsh: Lovely to be here. Thank you. Can I talk about the Queensland Homelessness Working Group clean up at the TAFE site? There's been a lot in the media about that. But first, I wanted to identify some historical context, as it seems a lot of people have
4 PETITIONS ¶
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5 NOTIFIED MOTIONS ¶
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6 PRESENTATIONS ¶
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7 DEPUTATIONS ¶
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7.1 DEBRA WALZ Topic: Qld Homeless Working Group Clean Up at TAFE Site ¶
00:07:00 differing perceptions. On what has happened over the years in relation to the TAFE site. So, we know that the construction was in 2004. It opened in 2006 with 716 students enrolled. It closed in 2014 with 256 students enrolled. I believe in conjunction with many art subjects being offered online and the fall in enrolments, the state government decided to close the TAFE. So, the TAFE was operational for eight years. Back in 2004, according to Hansard documents of a presentation to Parliament by Kate Lloyd, the then member for Noosa, the construction cost budget was $7.55 million. Ten years later, and what was a state of the art facility has fallen into absolute and total disrepair due to lack of maintenance, adequate security, vandalism, theft, government
00:08:00 and council inaction. There have been many excuses used over the past ten years, not least council indecision, caretaker mode during the state election campaign period, environmental protection, native title and uncertainties caused by COVID. Under council's new Noosa plan and state koala conservation plan, the site is identified as an area of biodiversity significance and a koala priority area. Limiting the use of natural resources. It's fairly clear now that council do not want to purchase the facility even after the 2018 formal offer to purchase. The reason given a reluctance to enter into an indigenous land use agreement with the traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi people. The minister for training and skills confirmed last year the operating costs over a seven
00:09:00 month period of the TAFE totaled to $88,900 which included council rates, electricity and water, maintenance costs for buildings and grounds, employee and security costs. No one has addressed the obvious and that is how has this facility come to be in such a bad shape? And what is the liability to the public with such hazards present? So, there was a clean up. We all know that. At the conclusion of the clean up, many of these hazards had been eliminated and the facility looks and feels a lot fresher. The much anticipated clean up for homeless at the colloquially referred to community village in Tewantin was a big success. The clean up for homeless at the colloquially referred to community village in Tewantin Determination of volunteers of which there was a steady stream starting at 8 a.m. through to 3 p.m.
00:10:00 Work got started following a mandatory site induction. Workplace safety considerations included a first aid kit on site, a qualified nurse on site, safety gloves, hand sanitiser, insect repellent, sunblock, etc. Present at the site induction were police officers, Kewbill representative, the Kabi Kabi traditional elders, media and state representative. Community members from all walks of life were present and keen to get started. The Kabi Kabi elders pitched in to clean up which demonstrated their connection to land and love of community. An extraordinary connection to land was formed. Between all volunteers and nothing could dampen that enthusiasm for the community project and the eagerness of the people to clean up. The attending police officers were in attendance due to a local neighbour expressing concern at seeing multiple vehicles entering the site.
00:11:00 The site was unlocked and has been for some time. The officers confirmed the community's right to be present on the land and to clean up, however, it was very clear that nobody should enter the buildings and this request was adhered to, there was no intention to ever enter any buildings. Goals set and achieved on the day were to come together as a community with a long-term intent to benefit the lives of others less fortunate. To take responsibility for the role we play in the community by engaging constructively. Experience first-hand the neglect upon land, buildings and community that has occurred since 2014. Being mindful of personal limitations, avoiding injury and damage to land, self or others. Debris clean up around the site and buildings to improve access and appearance.
00:12:00 Painting over the substantial amounts of offensive graffiti and weeding garden beds. The total cost of the clean up would be measured best in smiles and feelings of satisfaction. However, there was a dump fee of $75 incurred by one of our local volunteers. A community barbecue was enjoyed by all, generously donated by the Hub, Barts IGA, the Market Garden, Tewantin and the Tewantin Butcher. The Queensland Government and Queensland Police were instrumental in ensuring access to the site was not impeded for the clean up event. Volunteers paid for fuel, cleaning equipment, parking and cleaning equipment. This was the first clean up day scheduled for 2024, and it is hoped that there will be more. The clean up day was not intended as a political exercise, however, it is now clearly on the political agenda.
00:13:00 If you were to speak to locals, the TAFE site in its current condition is of great concern and there is a sentiment that all levels of government and council are at risk. When people in official positions fail to act on a community issue, then community members go ahead and take action. This is what was experienced with the clean up. It was enough is enough. Naturally, this type of community action can appear to go against the political narrative and even bruise people's egos. But by no means was this a deliberate intention of the community. It must be remembered that inaction makes certain people look bad in the eyes of the general community. Keeping the community updated of the continual demise and vandalism of a facility is not taking action.
00:14:00 A knee-jerk reaction to the goodwill of community to clean up has been to label it a stunt by vigilantes. Calling them conspiracy theorists or crazy Christian cultists. All this is totally misleading and untrue. In fact, it's laughable. This has been the narrative if you have followed comments on social media, including comments from so-called reputable community members. It's not only disturbing, but it's very divisive. Disturbingly, the volunteer community is not alone. The community identified the accumulated garden waste on site as the fire hazard. Water tap leakage wasting water broken into areas external to the building were destroyed. Air conditioning external compressors have exposed wires. All building walls had been graffitied.
00:15:00 Outdoor ceiling light fixtures smashed. Broken glass in all common areas. And no prevention of weed growth had been undertaken. Having not consulted directly with the members of the community has resulted in a lack of local and state government solutions for the reinvention of the TAFE facility in conjunction with the homeless crisis. As a result of this crisis, financially limited options for the homeless comprise of cars, vans, tents, and caravans being used, many of which are parked in public spaces. The community village model addresses the need for access to safe accommodation and aims to overcome a lack of connectedness with family, friends, and the community, and lack of control over one's environment. When someone in a place of authority says, if we come across homeless people, bring them
00:16:00 to me and I'll take care of them. That's not a solution. This is seen as disingenuous, insulting, and somewhat controlling. Just ask a homeless person. We all know the crisis of affordable and accessible housing and accommodation across Australia, and I've spoken to this before in another deputation. It is contributing to a growing number of men, women, children, and families having nowhere to live. The continuing negative effect of economic factors and lack of support from the local infrastructure community-based solutions will continue to lead vulnerable families and individuals into desperate, life-threatening circumstances if measures are not taken towards prevention. The mission of the Queensland Homelessness Working Group is developing solutions that are aimed at prevention, reduction, and support for those who are most vulnerable in the community.
00:17:00 Their values embrace the formation of an active advisory board from the combined resources of homeless community groups and the utilisation of unused government facilities for crisis housing solutions. This group works closely, very closely, with the Kabi Kabi elders, respects and acknowledges their land and their commitment to support homeless people. You may ask who is involved in the Queensland Homelessness Working Group. It's simply a group of community members committed to helping the homeless. People across the Sunshine Coast are committed to helping the homeless. Not just Noosa, because we all know homeless aren't confined to council boundaries, and in fact move from place to place. Obviously, the Sunshine Coast is a huge area. The focus of this group was initially on the Noosa region. The intention and focus being on the land, hence the connection with the Kabi Kabi elders
00:18:00 and the TAFE side. It was agreed by council in 2020 to adopt an advocacy role for potential suitable housing opportunities. It is highly unlikely to be used again for what it was initially designed. In part, to the very nature of decentralisation and privatisation of the training sector. Despite this, there was an offer from council to facilitate the activation of the site, acknowledging that this is a valuable community asset. Or at least was. The TAFE now is a monument to 21st century waste. It was purpose-built in 2004 as a TAFE college. It included a short-term accommodation space for artists' residences. This is a suggestion from me to council to consider, and also to think more broadly about
00:19:00 the potential use. Given the increase in the need for short-term accommodation for artists' residences, which is indisputable, and the prospect of the Olympic Games with a need for accommodation in 2032, only eight years away. Could council utilise their advocacy influence and commitment to consider the TAFE as a suitable athlete village initially? Then transitioning to short-term homeless accommodation post-Olympics. Just one of those thoughts to think about. Noosa Shire Council housing strategy is now out of draft. It identifies the success of the strategy to the strong partnerships with the state government, with community housing providers, private housing developers, and with the Noosa community. The Kabi Kabi traditional owners don't appear in the reference group as a partner. This impacts on council's social justice charter significantly, where it is acknowledged everyone
00:20:00 has a role to play in ensuring that Noosa Shire can continue to provide housing for the homeless, and that the local community can prosper and thrive as an inclusive community, both now and into the future. There is absolutely no discredit intended by me today. Only the hope that this council, and any future council, will consider and respect community suggestions through consultation processes that enables every voice to be heard. I want to thank you and I want to wish you a happy new year and a happy new year to everyone. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you very much. We are now up to item 8, consideration of committee reports. We have no planning and environment committee reports and no services and organisation as is the
8.1 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT - 15 JANUARY 2024 ¶
00:21:00 practice. Every January we don't have those smaller committee meetings, so we'll go straight to general. Item 8.1, general committee report. 6.1, general committee report. 6.1, MCU18-0102.02, application for another change to include food and drink outlet to a development approval, visitor accommodation type 4 conventional for Bounce Hostel at 14 to 16 Mary Street, Noosaville. 6.2, planning and environment court appeal number 3156 of 2023, application for material change of use for healthcare service and hospital at 47 Goodchap Street, Noosaville. Application 6.3, planning and environment court appeal number 3746 of 2023, application for material change of use for short-term accommodation, 15 cabins at 94 and 142 Noosa Drive, Noosaheads. Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you very much. I, Councillor Wilkie, inform the meeting after the prescribed conflict of interest in this matter as RACV have been a sponsor of Noosa Arts here where I serve as the committee president. As a result of the prescribed conflict of interest, I will leave the meeting room while the matter
00:22:00 is considered and dated upon. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Can I have a mover for the RACV? Thank you, Councillor Perisovic. And a seconder, Councillor Wegener. All in favour? Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Wilkie: Yes. Mayor Stewart: Great. Thank you. Carried unanimously. Thanks, Kenneth. Thanks, Mr. CEO. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Short and sweet. Item 6.4, planning applications decided by delegated authority, November 2023. Item 6.5, budget review 2, BR2 for the 2023-2024 financial year. Item 6.6, financial performance report, December 2021. Item 6.7, audit and risk committee membership.
00:23:00 Item 6.8, council remuneration update. Item 7.1, confidential CN00427, Garth Proud Bridge upgrade tender awards. Item 7.2, confidential contract award report, contract number CN00511, new suspended nourishment. Item 7.3, confidential RP00359, register of pre-qualified supplies. Item 7.4, construction of pathways, curb channel, drainage pits and associated works. Can I have a mover and a seconder? Thank you, Councillor Perisovic. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Carried unanimously. Yes. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. We have no direct to the ordinary meeting. We have no confidential items, so this brings us to the end of the agenda. The next ordinary meeting, which will be our last for this term of council, will be held at council chambers on the 15th of February at 5pm. I declare the meeting closed at 5.25pm.
9 ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS ¶
00:24:00 Thank you, everyone. And thank you, everyone in the audience. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
10 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION ¶
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 ¶
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.