Before the first item ¶
00:00:00 Speaker 1: Welcome to the first services organisation committee meeting for this cycle or this term of council. As it is our first meeting, that's why I'm opening it as the CEO, so we need to appoint a chair for this meeting and then we can continue on. But before we do that, I'd like to open by acknowledging that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. I pay my respects to the elders past, present and emerging. From an attendance point of view, we have all councillors in attendance that have been nominated to this committee and now I'd like to call for nominations for the chair of this committee. Speaker 3: I'd like to nominate Karen, Councillor Finzel, please. Speaker 1: Can I get a seconder? Speaker 3: Yes, thank you. Speaker 1: Would you like to accept the nomination, not the appointment just yet, the nomination? Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you, Mr Chair. I'm happy to accept the nomination. Thank you.
1 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶
00:01:00 Speaker 1: Alright, I'll put it to the vote. All those in favour? That's unanimous. Councillor Finzel: Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you, Larry. Speaker 1: Councillor Finzel, over to you. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Welcome everyone. As we start the meeting today, I note that we've had attendance and apologies. Can we please have a show of hands for confirmation of the minutes, please? Mayor Wilkie: I'll move it. Councillor Finzel: Any one seconding? Oh, you didn't have an aye to seven, so I guess that's correct. Yes, yes, that's correct, yeah. Thank you. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. Moving on to presentations, there are no presentations, no deputations. Reports for consideration of the committee. Now we're heading into reports for noting by the committee. We've got item 6.1, capital program. 20, 23, 24, delivery status.
1.1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE ¶
00:02:00 Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. And we have Mel and Craig on the delivery or the capital works delivery team to speak to us today. Mel, over to you. Speaker 4: Thanks. Thanks for having us this morning, oh, this afternoon, sorry. So we're going to be providing a status update for the capital works program as at the 31st of March. The total budget provision post budget review two was 45.9 million. Of that 19 million point 19.5 million was carryovers as at the 31st of March, we'd expended 22 million, which was 48% of the budget with a further $10.8 million in commitments, so it's purchase orders placed. The wet weather conditions have continued to hamper delivery of a lot of the projects. The road reseal program has expended 4.2 of its $5 million annual budget. Our design services team are currently working on the road reseal program. We're currently managing 20 plus capital design programs and also supporting with design and survey work on over 60 projects, and our planning team is currently supporting key master planning initiatives with multiple sub-projects, estimated around $1.7 million with construction value over 50 million.
6 REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE ¶
00:03:00 There are also 53 multi-year projects in various stages of completion at the moment. Councillor Finzel: Does anyone have any questions on the report? Thank you. Any questions from the councillors? Mayor Wilkie: Mel, we've got an alternative program running in parallel to this, that being disaster works funded by disaster recovery money. Are you able to talk to the status of that at this stage? Speaker 4: I believe Shaun is online and might be better suited to answer any questions you've got in regard to that. Yes. Speaker 2: Yes, through the chair, I'm happy to answer questions in that regard. Can you hear me fine? Mayor Wilkie: Yes. I can hear you very well. Thank you, Shaun. Speaker 2: Great. So, in terms of disaster reconstruction projects, many projects that were scheduled for delivery by 30th of June have been delayed due to wet weather in March and April.
00:04:00 And as many of the projects are landslide related, it is imperative that the soils are dried out prior to re-admencements. So, we're seeing delays on projects at Simpsons Road, Black Beach Road, and also Noosaville Road in West Cooroy. We're in negotiation with Queensland Reconstruction Authority concerning extension of time for grant funding, and discussions are pretty favourable, as we're in contract and the sites are mobilised, so it's advanced beyond our control. So, if we just keep our fingers crossed for dry weather, so we can finalise those works. There are three projects that are not scheduled for completion by the 30th of June, that is piling at the Black Mountain for the landslide repair. I'm pleased to report that the wet weather impacts on that project are fairly minimal, due to the construction stage, and piling is continuing as we speak, so I can actually hear it from my home.
6.1 CAPITAL PROGRAM 2023/24 DELIVERY STATUS ¶
00:05:00 So, we're still reasonably optimistic that we'll meet the December opening of that project at this stage, but be optimistic for more dry weather. The other project is the Upper Pimbaran Creek landslides. There's nine landslides, minor landslides to be repaired. We'll actually be proposing a report coming to the ordinary meeting to actually appoint the contractor to actually get on with that job, so it'll be a confidential report. And then I just want to note the other project is the Shrivers Road bridge water main support. We're just finalising the tender package for that at the moment, and be able to tender in the near future. So, we're coming to the end of putting things out to tender. Does that suffice for information? Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Shaun. In this report... Gordon mentions that the capital works for this financial year are about to the tune of $45.9 million. That includes $19 million of carryovers from last year. There's likely to be carryovers for next year as well.
00:06:00 But can you give us a sense of the scale of the, in terms of funding, the work's being carried on in the disaster recovery field, in terms of value? Is it $120 million? $120 million? Speaker 2: Well, the overall project value that we've applied to QA, is about $148 million at the moment, so, but we're seeing that some of the tenders are actually coming in at less cost than anticipated, so we may not need all of those funds. We can anticipate, my guess, and we've got our catch up on the finances later this week, so I can perhaps give you a more comprehensive answer in preparation for the general committee meeting, but easily, $70 to $80 million of the disaster reconstruction projects would need to be carried on, and that's what we're looking at right now. That's what we're hoping to get over into next financial year. There's still a lot of work to do. Mayor Wilkie: And just for the benefit of those who are listening, given that Council undertakes Capital Works to the tune of about $40 million a year, and we're looking at an extra $150 million in projects, Capital Works projects, could you explain how Council's able to carry on this workload because of extra projects?
00:07:00 And what's been brought into the, into the, the operation? Speaker 2: Firstly, in terms of financial impact, we largely receive the funds in advance of the project to ensure that our organisation remains financially liquid, so it doesn't come at a financial impost of our bottom line. In fact, fortunately, Council benefits some additional interest as a result of holding some significant funds associated with disaster reconstruction. To facilitate the scale of the projects, and there's 121 sites either under repair or about to be repaired across the Shire under the program, we've actually contracted an external engineering consultancy company to actually project manage the overall delivery of the projects, and that is supported by an internal disaster reconstruction coordinator who acts as the interface between our external providers and the council staff.
00:08:00 Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. Thank you, Shaun. And my other question was about the progress of the Dog Beach Sand Nourishment Works involving haul contractors. What can you tell us about the progress of that, that project with the new contractor? Speaker 2: We're actually very pleased on the progress of that, that, that project. We've managed to open up the, the main channel through the middle of the, the river mouth, which is the source for the actual material to be able to undertake the nourishment works. That material has been laid on, on the Dog Beach very successfully, both at the sand plugs, as well as commencing the nourishment works. And, and as our council is aware, reestablishment of the nourishment works at the Dog Beach acts as a critical coastal defence system for the Noosa Estuary, including our properties along Noosa Sound and Munna Point.
00:09:00 So we're really pleased with the progress. Of course, we're continuing to monitor the new main channel, and obviously we have to work closely with Maritime Safety Queensland and any boat users to ensure that they're aware of the new navigation arrangements associated with the new main channel entry. Mayor Wilkie: And does that mean that the two plugs at either end of that lagoon have been put in place, Shaun, the sand plugs? Speaker 2: I understand, I understand, as of last week, one plug on the eastern side or close to the river mouth is completed. That's correct. But the other plug, which is upstream towards Tewantin or towards Noosaville, is yet to be completed. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. But with that plug in place, it means that the current is no longer rushing through there, eroding that plug. Speaker 2: That's correct. And that's the coastal engineer's advice that by diversion of that water flow through to the main channel, it acts as our best defence to stop further erosion around the Dog Beach.
00:10:00 It is important to note that the whole of the Noosa River Mouth Estuary is a modified system as a result of the spit being placed there some decades ago. So it will never be a set and forget. The Noosa River Estuary will constantly require ongoing nourishment works, but hopefully not to the same scale as what we're doing at the moment. Mayor Wilkie: So, Shaun, does that mean you're preparing to have permits in place for next year for top-up works if needed? Speaker 2: Yes, in fact, the permit we have also has been completed. So it allows us to continue those works. Noosa Council already has a nourishment dredging permit along the Noosaville foreshore, for instance. Because nourishment of the beaches along the Noosaville foreshore are imperative to, again, to stop erosion and to protect infrastructure along that stretch of the river. So if you like, it's extending that same program to this area of the Dog Beach. Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. That's all for my questions for the time being. Speaker 3: Can I just ask one question to Shaun?
00:11:00 Yes. How long ago did we last do the nourishment works in that area? Like how long did we get between and the next one planned? Speaker 2: Yeah. How do I say this delicately? The dredging program along the Dog Beach has been significantly disrupted as a result of de-amalgamation, you know, amalgamation. So it's long overdue. Basically, 10 years overdue for this stretch of the... of the Noosa River mouth. And that is why it has taken a fair bit of expense and time to make a really good effort to reinstate that beach and that shoreline erosion, you know, protection system back to the way it should be. So and I suppose we just want to ensure we don't go back to that situation that we face at the moment. And that's the importance of ongoing monitoring on a yearly basis and yearly beach nourishment program.
00:12:00 And that location. Speaker 3: Thanks. Councillor Finzel: Any further questions? No. Thanks. Thank you. Shaun, I just have a question, please, around the Shriver Roach bridge work that's up and coming. I've had a few people email me regarding that. What can you tell us about the need for that and how we're proceeding for around that? People were particularly concerned about the appearance of like the bridge, you know, didn't need any extra work. They were concerned about rate pay and funding. But I understand the funding comes from other sources. Can you give us a bit of explanation around that, please? Speaker 2: Yes, certainly. And this is the site I personally inspected myself because it was quite hard to get my head around that, you know, the overall need for the project, considering its location. What happened in the 2022 event is that there's a very large embankment with culverts down. It's very high. And due to the rain event, the whole embankment overtopped with water, which seems to be quite
00:13:00 inconceivable when you're there. Now, unfortunately, along that embankment is the water main that brings water across from the Mary River through to the Lake MacDonald treatment plant. So it serves as the supplementary water intake for Noosa. And it's also connected to the southeast Queensland water grid to allow water to be pumped either way, depending on demand across the region. Now, as a result of the water overtopping that embankment, it undermined the water main. So unfortunately, we were putting the water supply security of Noosa at risk as a result of that current construction construction type. Now, we undertook immediate repair works, so it looks fine again, but we're very successful in putting negotiations in with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to fund a betterment project to ensure that this never happened again. Now, that betterment project is removal of the current large embankment and the culverts,
00:14:00 and actually replacing it with a bridge structure, so that when we have a major rainfall event in that locality in the future, the water will actually flow under the bridge and ensure that our water main, or the southeast Queensland's water main, is not impacted by erosion. So we don't end up with a failure of water supply to Noosa, in fact, water supply to all of southeast Queensland. The project is fully funded by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. There is no funding required from council, apart from some minor contributions. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. That's a great explanation. Just have a question around that, given its funding. At the LGAQ conference last year, it was put forward through motions that we look at the ongoing maintenance costs of infrastructure that we've gained in local government through grants. How are we going with the funding for the ongoing maintenance, for example, of this work and other works around that, first off, the asset coming across to us on the asset registers
00:15:00 back into our responsibility, and how we're funding for that moving forward for the maintenance? Speaker 2: Yeah. Firstly, the vast majority of works are replacing like for like, so there was no opportunity for betterment. So, you know, we generally couldn't provide a much bigger culvert. So, you know, the funding is provided to replace like with like. So, on that basis, you could say that there's no financial impact because we're replacing like for like. But that being said, we actually ended up in a much better position because we basically replaced old assets with new assets. For example, when you go along up at Mid Barren Creek Road and look at the culvert replacements we've done, we've replaced basically stormwater pipe assets under the road, which were at the end of their life, with new assets, which won't require replacement, hopefully for another 50 years. So, I actually think it would significantly improve Council's bottom line because we replaced old assets with new assets, and we won't need to draw upon our depreciation funds to replace
00:16:00 those assets. So, we can use our depreciation funds and divert them to other more important assets. Now, in most instances, we actually did manage to improve the actual quality of the asset. For instance. We put up in Barren Creek Road, our contemporary construction standards required us to increase the wind walls and also put in fish barrier passages, which improved the capacity of the stormwater system. So, we've actually ended up with a better asset. But it's fair to say that apart from the projects like the Shrivers Road project with the bridge, the asset portfolio is very similar to what we had with some minor enhancements. Councillor Finzel: That's great. Thanks, Shaun. Well, that's a good news story for the Council, isn't it? Benefiting our bottom line. So, thank you to the staff and everyone that's worked hard in that space because I know you're really at capacity and our capability is stretched with what we're delivering back to our community. So, that's really good news to hear the benefits back to our community through these projects.
00:17:00 Shaun, thank you. I've just got another question regarding upcoming tenders, and you may not be able to say much. But I'm interested, of course, in the heritage restoration at the Cooroy Butter Factory's Arts Centre. What can you tell us a bit about that there, please? Speaker 2: In terms of the first suite of works, which was the ceiling works, have been completed. And the Cooroy Butter Factory and the Cooroy Future Group have been really pleased with the minimal disruption in the gallery, as much as possible, and the way Council staff liaise with them. The outstanding item is the re-pointing of the bricks. Around each brick has concrete or lime mortar, and over time that mortar tends to fall out. And if you don't go back and re-point around the bricks, you're putting the structure at risk of failure. It's a bit like putting a pothole in a road before the road falls apart, for a good analogy. We're yet to procure the relevant contractor to do those works.
00:18:00 As it's a heritage building, we need to ensure that we undertake the right specifications of the right contractor, to ensure that the works are done as sympathetically and architecturally appropriate as possible. So that's as far as an update I've got at the moment on the re-pointing project. Councillor Finzel: Fantastic. Thank you. Speaker 5: Karen. Councillor Finzel: Yes. It's Kerri here, Karen. Speaker 5: I would also add, though, that we are, with the weather that we've had, we are, we've got not over-promising expectation here, because we're relying on good weather to undertake that work. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Do we have any other questions? No. No. All right. Well, thank you, staff, for your report. Keep up the great work. And our thanks back to the staff that we know are working hard in the space. Thank you. Speaker 4: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Thank you all.
00:19:00 Mayor Wilkie: I'll move the recommendation. Councillor Finzel: Thanks, Greg. And we have to move on to the vote? So second. Second to please? Thank you, that's Nicola has seconded it. Does... We'll take it to debate. I in the same... There's no need to see. No need to see. No need to speak. There's no need to speak when needed for a report. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, thank you. Councillor Finzel: Thank you very much. Anybody else wish to speak? Anyone wish to speak? Mayor Wilkie: Tom has a question. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. We have Councillor Tom Wegener from the floor. Councillor Wegener: Well, one thing you may have seen is the two environment levy land purchases. And you might not be familiar with what that is to the new councillors. And Frank, if you would like to talk through it, or just to say that, you know, these are two big pieces of land that were purchased to maintain the koala corridors through the hinterland. And they're working hard to do that. To actually link up the koala corridors with the Sunshine Coast as well. And so these environment purchases, they are to maintain biodiversity in the Noosic Shire. And yeah, they're unsung heroes, things that we do in Noosic Council.
00:20:00 Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Councillor Tom. Is there a question related to the topic you've raised? Councillor Wegener: Yeah, I think I just left it. But that's okay. Oh, okay. Councillor Finzel: If we do note on the report that's on page four, the two blocks of land which you're referencing are Black Mountain Road at Federal 103 and 68 Padilba Road at Federal. They're two environmental land purchases. Speaker 1: They're purchased through our levy, our environment levy service. We use that money. Build up the money and then purchase blocks of land or areas of land. And then we also like to have trees that become available. And at the moment it's now starting to create a sort of link passageway through that area of forest. Councillor Wegener: There is actual old growth forest down there, which is really quite rare in the Noosic
00:21:00 Shire. Councillor Finzel: So that's good and that's a good story back for our community today. And I think we should be highlighting the benefits that we bring back to our community for not just now but for future generations. So thank you. So, it's really good. All right, thank you, and... Councillor Lorentson: Sorry, can I ask a question? Same link. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, we've got Councillor Amelia on line. Welcome, what's your question? Councillor Lorentson: Hi, question to Shaun or Larry. In terms of staffing levels, the report identified that there are some staffing shortages in infrastructure services. In terms of staffing levels in comparison to workloads, how does that look, and how is staff morale, and how does staff morale impact on capabilities? Speaker 1: Shaun, do you want to answer that, or do you want to answer that? Speaker 2: If you could go first, Larry, that'd be great. So...
00:22:00 Yes. Speaker 1: Across council, there's a number of areas that... that... that... the current landscape of employment is a hard market, tight market. So, in planners, in project management, in engineers, there are hard positions to fill because, you know, there's so much work going on out there that many people go out into the commercial world. So, yes, we do have some issues. We've been struggling to find the right person for the traffic and transport. I think we've gone out to market a couple of times, and we've now gone going out or out to market for the specialist firm to see if we can get the right person for that role. Because, you know, traffic and transport, obviously, is one of the key issues we've got in Noosa, particularly on the coast.
00:23:00 And so, we want to make sure we get that right person. So, it's a sustainable transport coordinator is what we're looking for. And, hopefully, we'll be able to secure that person. But, across the board, no question, councillor, that there is... It's hard yards in terms of the amount of work that we've got on our plate and the amount of obligation we've got in terms of funding and our grants and things to get things done. So, we need to really focus and that's a big part of going forward into next year with budgets and with tight budgets and tight economy, is we want to make sure that we focus on the work that we've already got on our plate. Work that's already been started and get that completed. And give the guys every opportunity. Guys and girls, sorry. We've got... We're going through a program and, sort of, the Shaun and I, in particular, are looking at the structure and the efficiencies in the way that we work.
00:24:00 One of the great lessons is the way that we've outsourced some of the major... All the major works for the disaster management. And just really overseeing it as opposed to doing it. And that's worked really, really well. So, we do a bit of that within our current structure down in planning and delivery. But, yeah, we're looking to do some more of that where it's legitimate, where we can't necessarily fill the roles with the resources we've got. We can outsource it and make sure we deliver it in a more efficient way. So, we're actually working through that at the moment. Looking at the best structure to do that. So, you know, it's just... It's one of those things. You've got a lot on your plate, you know, and this wave keeps coming. So, you've got to work out the best way while you're still doing it. You can't just stop and say, let's change and go this way. You've actually got to do it while you're continuing to do the work and deliver the work. But, yeah, it's... But I've got to say that the people in that area work their tars off of it. They're fantastic people. It's really... You know, what we don't want to do is overload them or give them work that they're not necessarily
00:25:00 skilled at. Because that puts the stress and pressure on them. So, it's giving them work that they're comfortable to do and able to do and, you know, and they'll take it on willingly. Thank you. Does that help, Councillor? Councillor Lorentson: No, that answers my question well. So, you sort of answered my next question, is what strategies have we got in place to prevent burnouts? So, you sound like you just, you know, identified a couple of those, outsourcing. And I'm imagining, you know, there's people on board that's checking up on the staff and making sure they've got a balance with family life. Because burnout normally leads to resignations. Absolutely. Speaker 1: Yeah. And that's an issue. So, yeah, we do. And we want to make sure that, you know, most... A lot of our people are on contracts as well because we're doing contract work. We're in project. Yeah. And it's really trying to make sure that they've got some stability and some longer
00:26:00 term employment options so that they're comfortable to not have to be looking around. Fantastic. Thank you, Larry. Thank you. Any further questions? Mayor Wilkie: Another question. Given that there's been so many delays due to weather and staff shortages, there's bound to be some carryovers for next year. So, just ensuring that we don't over-promise and under-deliver, what can you tell us, Shaun, in terms of what we can expect for next year's capital works program? What's it going to look like? Speaker 2: I think I prefer we do this in the budget workshop as we're still in the process of refining exactly what the, you know, the extent of the renewal budget is and because the carryover is going to be significant. Yeah. And the only way we can reduce the workload temporarily is to reduce the scale of works in renewal budgets and also reduce the new capital works initiative as well to catch
00:27:00 up. So, you know, it could be... You know, if we... Speaker 2: If we proceeded with a full renewal budget, imperative new initiatives from a capital works perspective as well as the carryover, we're looking at a program of possibly up to $78 million. But that's unsustainable. It is. It's ridiculous. Yeah. So... Speaker 2: And part of that is if you recall last year when I started, I gave councillors the green list, the orange list and the red list, you know, of projects that we weren't able to deliver. And I dare say that as well as reducing the scale of works we commit to next year, ensuring that they're profiled over multiple years, and there's a good understanding about, well, what is green light that we're ready to go and can be delivered, you know, expediently, but what's orange light and what's red light? So... And, you know, as for an example, I know many councillors are frustrated at the lack of progress of the Noosa Woods jetty, you know, investigations, due to the lack of staff, you know, to actually even scope what that's about.
00:28:00 And that's always been on the red list of a project that we knew that we were at risk, that we weren't able to deliver due to the resources around that. And so I think for me, it's certainty to the councillors about what is realistic that we can achieve and what we can't achieve. Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. So it's helping councillors be realistic in their asks. Speaker 2: Okay. Yeah. I think also part of it is that even in those carryover projects and the imperative things we have to deliver, there's a fantastic array of works. And I think we need to leverage off that to say, well, this is what we are doing. Like, you know, I'm confident that in the near future, with the appointment of the Sustainable Transport Coordinator, we will finally have leadership in that area to a better degree and resource capacity to proceed with the Noosa Woods jetty investigation. Well, let us leverage off that. Let's say, you know, we're starting the investigation. This is what we're doing. We're really happy to get on with it. So to me, I think it's part of, it's a comms message in focusing on what we are doing,
00:29:00 which is still a significant program, because as Larry's pointed out, it was only a few years ago that our program was in order of, you know, $23 million. And here we are talking about a $78 million program. So, you know, there's an awful lot of content in that. Speaker 1: Thank you. Can I just clarify that that $78 million that he's talking about is not going to happen. No. No. That's right. Yeah. So, you know, with all of the requirements and everybody wants, you know, new things or the next thing, what we've got to concentrate on is just delivering what we've got. And what Shaun's saying is what we are delivering are some fantastic things anyway. So it's really easy to say, well, we've allocated that. We've got a budget. Let's now move on to the next one. And that thing just sort of happens behind the scenes as opposed to saying, you know, that's part of our work and that's part of what we're delivering. And let's focus on what we've got and really celebrate that. And that's, you know, otherwise we do get ourselves into this snowball effect that just keeps growing and we can't sustain it. But that will come to the budget discussions next week.
00:30:00 And that's all part of the decisions that we need to make because, you know, we can't do everything. Yeah. As much as we'd love to, we can't do everything. Councillor Finzel: Thanks, Larry. Yeah. So any further questions before we finish off the meeting today? Mayor Wilkie: Not from me, Madam Chair. But I'd just like to finish by saying thank you, Larry. You pass on our thanks to the staff. We do it. As Karen said, we all do appreciate how hardworking they are. They are delivering some fantastic projects under very, very trying circumstances. And thanks to the comments today helped us have a realistic expectation for next year's capital works program. Speaker 1: Good. I don't think we've broken up, have we? We haven't. No, we haven't. Just to make sure. I know this is your first time. Karen's on to it. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. I appreciate your support. We're all in this together. Yes, exactly. One team working together. Okay. So thank you, Frank, for your final comments.
00:31:00 We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. And note the meeting closed today at 2.03pm. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Madam Chair. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr CEO and staff and all my councillors and everyone who listened. Thank you.
8 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.