Before the first item ¶
00:00:00 Mayor Wilkie: I declare the meeting open at 10am. I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional lands and waters of the Kabi Kabi people, pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and reiterate their invitation for us to join them as joint custodians, respecting and caring for this beautiful place that we all love, and respecting and caring for each other. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. All in favour? That is unanimous. There are no petitions, there are no presentations, there are no deputations. We have five submissions for public question time. The first is from Mr Brian O'Connor. Mr O'Connor, would you like to come to the lectern, read your questions, which will be answered by Acting Director Brad Chalmers. Thank you, Mr O'Connor. Speaker 5: My question is this, as stated in 2018, so seven years ago, and reaffirmed at least twice since, is Noosaville Council still committed to a Pomona Showgrounds Master Plan?
1 DECLARATION OF OPENING ¶
Nothing was transcribed under this heading — a stretch of the recording with no speech the model could make out.
2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ¶
Nothing was transcribed under this heading — a stretch of the recording with no speech the model could make out.
3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶
00:01:00 Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr O'Connor, for your question. As a follow-up to your public question in 2023, Pomona Showgrounds Master Plan is still committed to a Pomona Showgrounds Master Plan. The Pomona Showgrounds are a freehold land owned by Noosa Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society, also known as the Noosa Show Society. As freehold land, it is therefore up to the owner, Noosa Show Society, as to if or when a master plan is developed. To that point, Council staff have met with members of the Show Society Committee on 11 March 2025. At this meeting, the Show Society indicated a desire to undertake a master planning process, and staff will now... look to assist them on the commencement and development of a plan.
8.1 BRIAN O'CONNOR ¶
00:02:00 Speaker 5: Okay, that might make the second question superfluous. If the answer to question one is in the affirmative, why the delay, and how will the commitment manifest itself, and against what timeframe? Speaker 3: Thank you for the additional question. The Show Society is an independent community organisation with its own priorities. We are happy to discuss a potential master plan with the Show Society, and provide support in the development of this plan, commencing over next December. Council has funding available to assist organisations to undertake planning processes like this, and would work collaboratively with the Show Society on an important project such as this. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Mr O'Connor. Thank you, Dave. The second set of questions are from Deborah Waltz. Ms Waltz, would you like to come to the lectern and read your questions, please? And they will be answered by Richard MacGillivray, Director of Development and Regulation. Deborah Walsh: Thanks, Frank. And good morning, everybody. My question's in relation to the pending closure of the RSPCA, which I think most of
00:03:00 us know about by now. And just very briefly, it's been open since 1992, and the land was leased to the RSPCA Wednesday to establish a Noosa shelter, and provide pound services on behalf of Noosa Council. Can you tell us a little bit more about that? So, the RSPCA is a non-profit organisation. Just briefly, over this period of time, more than 50,000 animals have been accommodated and cared for. Point of order. The buildings and facilities have been added. Point of order. To the site. Point of order. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm standing, so I ask you to cease. I don't believe the question time allows for the elongated question. It's only the question to be asked. Mayor Wilkie: Just a little bit of context. There's a formal process there. The question has submitted, if you would please. Deborah Walsh: Yes. In the light of the announcement of the RSPCA Queensland to close, the Noosa RSPCA shelter
8.2 DEBRA WALZ ¶
00:04:00 at the Hollett Road facility, in terms of that, what arrangements has Council undertaken to accommodate and manage potential surrendered and or abused dogs, or stray dogs, or animals that have been abandoned? What is the plan for the resettlement of those animals in the Noosa Shire, including any ongoing intentions to operate a pound facility? Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Deb. Does the member Bill agree? Speaker 2: Thank you very much for that question, Deborah. Council is currently working through alternative arrangements for pound management services in light of the recent decision by RSPCA to not renew its contract with Council. We are committed to working closely with the RSPCA to ensure a smooth transition of those animals, and we anticipate there will be minimal to no impact on services during this period. We look forward to announcing new arrangements for the management of lost and impounded animals
00:05:00 in the very near future. Deborah Walsh: Okay. Question number two. Once Council regains the premises at Hollett Road, what is Council's intention for the use of this land, the buildings and facilities, and how has Council considered considering securing these premises to ensure they are not left to degrade or be open to theft and vandalism, similar to what we observed with the Tewantin Tafe facility? Speaker 2: That's a different question, but anyway, until Council has finalised its new pound arrangements, it's too early to say how the site may be used in the future. However, any proposed new use of the site would need to be assessed against Council's strategic land activation policy to ensure it supports Council's plans. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, David. And we'll just reiterate that the Tafe site is not a Council-owned facility.
00:06:00 Next question is from Mr Trevor Walsh. Mr Walsh, would you like to come to the lect and read your questions, which will also be answered by Richard MacGillivray, the Director of Development and Regulation. Speaker 4: Good morning, everyone. Thank you for allowing me to address Council. Following on from Debra. Okay. Recently, a Noosa resident was fined over $200. Sorry, Mr Walsh. Mayor Wilkie: Mr Walsh. Speaker 4: Mr Walsh. Mr Walsh. Mayor Wilkie: Mr Walsh. Could you please read your question as submitted, please? I'll get into my question later. Thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Mr Mayor, it appeared to be a deliberate defiance of the Chairman's ruling, as he kept on reading while you were trying to get his attention. I believe that's behaviour that we have to consider, whether the question should be asked. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Trevor, if you could just read the question as submitted, please. Okay. Speaker 4: My question. Thank you. My question. In light of the current need for people to foster dogs and the potential rise in need,
8.3 TREVOR WALZ ¶
00:07:00 due to the imminent closure of the Noosa RSPCA, okay, would Council be able to provide up to three dogs on their property, provided they have evidence from the RSPCA Queensland that one or more of those dogs is in temporary foster care? Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Trevor. Thank you. Speaker 4: Mr MacGillivray. Is that right? Excuse me. Speaker 2: Thank you, Trevor, for your question. Residents can apply to Council to keep more than the prescribed number of dogs on their property, provided they have an additional number of animals through what is called an additional animal permit. The number of animals permitted per property will be assessed on criteria such as the size and location of the property and the type of animals to be kept. There is a small fee for each application, which is listed in Council's Fees and Charges Schedule.
00:08:00 Mayor Wilkie: Richard. Your next question, please, Trevor. Speaker 4: Thank you, Richard, for that reply. Interesting. Okay. My second question. And I'll go straight to the question. In the last financial year, the expenditure on animal control was $837,331, which included all staff and activity costs. Can Council provide a breakdown of income and expenditure for the last financial year, including all related, all funding related to animal control in the Noosa Shire? Speaker 2: Thank you, Trevor. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Richard. Speaker 2: In the 23-24 financial year, the expenditure for animal control was $837,331.13, as you've highlighted. The components of this expenditure included related employee costs and internal charges, materials and services, incorporating items such as doggy bags and pound management fees
00:09:00 and also depreciation. The revenue generated from the same period, primarily relating to fees and charges for registration and other related costs, was $837,331.13. The total estimated revenue, i.e. infringements, was $520,296.99. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Richard. Thank you, Trevor. The next application is from Ms. Pat Spicer. Would you like to read your questions, and they'll be answered by Kim Rawlings, Director of Strategy and Environment. Pat Spicer: Thank you. Through the Chair. My name's Pat Spicer. My question. What is the Council's plan if the remediation of 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy exceeds the sum generally outlined in the report the 16th of May, 2024? Director Rawlings: Thank you for your question. While appreciating there are complexities in the remediation, Council has assessed
8.4 PAT SPICER ¶
00:10:00 the site at 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy thoroughly. To estimate remediation costs as accurately as possible prior to works commencing. This includes remediation techniques, estimated soil depth, and areas to be remediated identified in the remediation action plan as provided by the qualified consultant. From this, the soil quantities required to be removed from the site have been estimated. Supervisory, operational, and transport costs for this work have been assessed and rechecked. In preparing for this work, project contingency costs have been included. Project tender response costs have been included. Subsequent responses, when received, will further inform the final estimated project costs and the final decision regarding the next steps of the project. Pat Spicer: Question two. In relation to 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy, what grant funding options are available to Noosaville Shire Council for open space, true full community use, landscape and amenity, rather than tied to investigation for housing, or housing, or infrastructure?
00:11:00 In relation to 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy, what grant funding options are available for housing? Director Rawlings: At present, Council is focusing on delivering the remediation and subdivision works for the existing project, for which federal and state grant opportunities do exist for projects that enable housing. This may allow for the remediation costs to be partially funded by grant funding. Future use of proposed lots two and three have not been fully considered at this point, as per the Council resolution of 23 January 2025. Any future plans will involve community consultation. Grants come up from time to time across a range of areas that enable projects to be implemented with the assistance of grant funding. Council keeps abreast of these grant programs as they arise. These are often subject to particular eligibility requirements and time frames and can often change when governments change. We are unaware of any eligible grant programs available at the moment for the uses outlined in the question. However, we will continue to pursue any that are relevant. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Ms. Tyson. The next application is from Ria Den Brassem.
00:12:00 Ms. Den Brassem is not in attendance, but has requested the CEO to read out the questions, which will be answered by Kim Rawlings, Director of Strategy and Environment. Speaker 1: Yes, I'm happy to read out this question. However, I must reiterate that these are not my words. Why was Coast to Bay chosen through a process that lacked transparency to be the recipient of lot one of the proposed subdivision of 62 Lake MacDowell Drive to Hawthorne? Mayor Wilkie: Thanks for the question. You can answer on camera, please. Director Rawlings: Coast to Bay is a well-regarded local Tier 1 community housing provider. Coast to Bay have been active in the Noosa community for many years. In the development of the Noosa housing strategy, community-wide consultation occurred, including in Cooroy. A range of local stakeholders were invited in 2022 to form a Housing Stakeholder Reference Group to assist Council with social and affordable housing solutions in Noosa. Coast to Bay has been a member of the Housing Stakeholder Reference Group since it was established
8.5 RHEA DEN BRAASEM ¶
00:13:00 in 2022. A Memorandum of Understanding between Coast to Bay and Noosa Council was executed in 2022. It was from this long-standing relationship that the opportunity to progress housing on this site was instigated. This site was identified to be investigated for housing in the widely publicised Noosa Housing Strategy. At its ordinary meeting on 16 May 2024, Council approved the disposal of lot one under section 2.3. 6 of the Local Government Regulation 2012. Proposed lot one is being sold at market value. This decision does not prevent Council from dealing with other community housing organisations for other much-needed housing solutions that may arise in the Noosa LGA. Thank you. Speaker 1: See you. Question number two. Again, I'll reiterate these are not my words. These are from one of the residents. Once the land, lot one, at 62 Lake MacDonald Drive, Noosa, was sold at market value, it was not the land that was described to Cooroy as sold to Coast to Bay. It is unbelievable that the land can remain zoned community facilities as it no longer belongs
00:14:00 to the community. So what exactly is the material change of use application that Coast to Bay has to submit as part of the initial GA? Director Rawlings: Thank you for the question. The community facilities zone is defined under State Queensland Planning Regulation 2017. The purposes of the community facilities zone is to provide for community-related uses, activities and facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, including, for example, education establishments, hospitals, transport and telecommunication networks and utility installations. Residential uses. If all of the dwellings for the residential use other than caretakers accommodation are affordable, are an affordable housing component and on either on land associated with community activity comprised of a community care centre, place of worship or residential care facility
00:15:00 or owned, controlled and managed by an entity that carries out a community activity comprised of community care, place of worship or residential care facility. For example, residential aged care such as Kabara is included in the community facilities zone. Palm Lakes Retirement Resort is included in the community facilities zone. These properties are privately owned and accommodate people's homes. The community facilities zone relates to what land use can occur on the land rather than who owns it or who it belongs to. It can apply to both public and private land, and it does. An impact-accessible material change of use application for housing is required for the Coast to Bay proposal, which means the development application is publicly notified and is required to be assessed against the NUSA plan. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Director Rawlings. There are no mayoral minutes. We have no notified motions. That brings us to consideration of committee reports. First are the planning and environment committee reports. 7.1 was referred to the general committee meeting. 8.1 is the planning applications decided by delegated authority for all the applications
00:16:00 in February 2025. 9.1 is the confidential offerorist planning and environment court appeal, number 1998 of 2024, application for material change of use for a childcare centre at New South Wales. May I have a mover and a seconder for the Planning and Environment Committee recommendations as noted to be adopted please. So moved. Moved by Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Wegener. All in favour? That's unanimous. 11.2 Asserts as an Organisation Committee of Reports. 7.1 to summarise shops, shop for lease renewal. 7.2, 7.1, summarise shops, shop for lease renewal. Can I just have a correction on that please? They're both not for shop 4, surely? Speaker 3: No, it says shop 6. Councillor Lorentson: One says shop 6. Oh, it's on your brain. Mayor Wilkie: Which one is shop 6?
11.1 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT - 8 APRIL 2025 ¶
Nothing was transcribed under this heading — a stretch of the recording with no speech the model could make out.
11.2 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE REPORT - 8 APRIL 2025 ¶
00:17:00 Second one, shop 6? 7.2? Sorry, my notes are incorrect. 7 points. One is 7.2, summarise shops, shop 6, lease renewal. Can I have a mover and a seconder for the Service and Organisation Committee recommendations? Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor... Thank you. All in favour? That's carried unanimously. Now to go to the General Committee of Reports. There was one item referred which is the MCU240151 Development Application for Material Change of Use for Outdoor Sport and Recreation Rowing Club at Lake Macdonald Drive, Lake Macdonald. Referred from the Planning and Environment Committee dated April 2025, item 7.1. This is an application by Secwater to move a rowing club onto another portion of their property. Councillor Stockwell, you have a declaration. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, I wish to, in accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act of 2009, provide a declaration that I wish to inform the meeting I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter
11.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT - 14 APRIL 2025 ¶
00:18:00 due to my previous work in Lake Macdonald for SCQ Water. In 2019, as part of a broader consultancy project that I've completed as a sole trader, I undertook a land asset classification of land owned by SCQ Water around Lake Macdonald. This work was at a strategic level and assessed the parceling question as part of the broader evaluation. The project produced land capability and a suitability assessment for various land uses, including for recreational pursuits such as those that proposed in the application. In 2020, as part of the broader consultancy project, I also undertook a further assessment evaluating the suitability of the land around Lake Macdonald for a solar farm. Although I have a decarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because I have no dealings with SCQ Water in a private consultant capacity since that time. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room, however I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Mayor Wilkie: I would like to move that Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Councillor Stockwell
00:19:00 and determine that in accordance with the section of the Act that's there, Section 150ES of the Local Government Act 2009, and having considered the Council's conflict of interest as described, I have decided that Councillor Stockwell may participate in the notice of this matter relating to MCU 24-0151 Development Application Lot 1, RP 167252 Lake Macdonald Drive, Lake Macdonald. It's a reasonable person who would not have a perception of bias if there's no personal gain or loss for the Councillor involved. May I have a seconder for that please? Speaker 5: A second. Second, Councillor Wilson. Mayor Wilkie: Councillors, we've been through this in two rounds of meetings already. I'll put it to the vote. Anybody else wish to ask any questions or speak? I'll put it to the vote. Those in favour? That's carried unanimously, noting that Councillor Stockwell did not vote on the matter. I'd like to move that Council note the report by the Coordinator
00:20:00 planning to the General Committee meeting dated 14th April 2025 regarding Development Application MCU 24-0151 for Development Permit for Material Change of Use, Outdoor Sport, and Rowing Club situated at Lake Macdonald Drive, Lake Macdonald described as Lot 1, RP 167252. And Councillors, this is the recommendation as created at the Monday's General Committee meeting. May I have a seconder for that please? Councillor Finzel: I'll give a second. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. I'll waive my right to speak but I understand there may be some questions I want to be asked. Councillor Phillips. Councillor Phillips: Yes, please. Just for some clarification since the general meeting, Mr. Mayor, can I ask perhaps Richard a question just in relation to the leasing. There's some miscommunication or I'd like some clarification around the applicant being SEQ water and the leaseholder
00:21:00 and just some clarification more for people, the members, and I think there's some confusion in the last sort of 10 minutes before the ordinary meeting I got some phone calls, and some conversations. I just want to clarify if you could just explain the applicant, the leaseholder, and maybe the question around the membership's now capped at nine members. Can you talk me through that please, just for clarification? Speaker 2: Yes, through the Chair. So the applicant in this particular application is SEQ water. So the process works where the applicant provides the information that they're seeking for Council to consider as part of their materials. Council has considered the material that's been submitted by SEQ water. We do understand there's been some discussion between the leasee and SEQ water and possibly some miscommunication around what the future aspirations for the site may be. There is an ability through the process following a decision for any applicant to submit representations
00:22:00 to conditions made, and officers have 20 business days to consider those. So there is an ability through the process following a decision for any applicant to consider those. And there is the ability at a future point in time for applicants to apply to vary conditions or propose to change or make modifications to their proposal as well. So our role as assessment managers is to assess the material provided on behalf of the applicant, and that's what has happened in this particular case. Notwithstanding that, Council has been in discussions with all parties in recent times to ensure that there's a clear understanding of that process and the different mechanisms that can be utilised to work through any issues. Councillor Phillips: Just a follow-up question then. Also, thank you. Will they be permitted to move back to the original site after the... Mayor Wilkie: Dam works. Councillor Phillips: Dam works. Yeah. Earlier or after the date? Speaker 2: Through the Chair, yes.
00:23:00 So the approval allows for the re-establishment back on the existing site by the date set and the proposed conditions. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Another follow-up question. I understand that Council received a notification of imminent works. Could you talk about what that means, please? Speaker 2: Yeah. Through the Chair, yes. So we have received notification from Sec Water about their imminent need to commence works. Part of the reason why they're interested in ensuring this decision is made so that they can progress with the SEQ dam upgrade works, as it's a large infrastructure project, which may take between three to five years to implement. They're keen to get those works underway. So hence the need to progress to relocate the rowing club so that those works can commence. Speaker 5: Thank you. Speaker 2: Councillor Pinson. Councillor Finzel: Yeah. Thank you. Just for clarification then, this is an application from Sec Water, which we've established.
00:24:00 For future use, when these works is finished and this is lapsed, who is eligible to make future applications for like a use? Like if there's rowing or races or anything like that? Is that application through the rowing club, or would that be again through Sec Water for that material change of use? Speaker 2: Through the Chair. So any party can lodge a development application. There is a need to obtain landowner consent for a material change of use. So any applicant, for example the rowing club, would need to obtain landowner consent to make such an application or a change. Pat Spicer: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Any other councillors wish to comment? Councillor Lorentson: Okay. And just for clarification, that would be done through a change application or potentially a temporary permit application if they were thinking of hosting an event, for example? Speaker 2: Through the Chair, there are ability to apply for temporary event permits, but at the same
00:25:00 time any applicant will need to comply with the conditions of their development permit as well. So that would need to be carefully understood as well. To ensure there's no conflicts with any particular permit processes, so obviously there's some restrictions placed on the current application to manage the scale and intensity as proposed by the applicant. Mayor Wilkie: Any councillors wish to speak to the motion? I waive my right to close. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you, Richard. Thank you. 8.2 is the financial performance report. Now, may we have a mover and a seconder for the general committee recommendations to be adopted except where dealt with separately. So it's basically just ratifying the financial report.
00:26:00 Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. I'll second. Thank you, Councillor Pimsel. I'm sorry, Phillips. All in favour? That's unanimous. Item 12, ordinary meeting. Meeting reports. There are no reports direct to the ordinary meeting. There are no confidential items. Item 14 is the next ordinary meeting will be at the Cooroy Memorial Hall at 23 Maple Street, Cooroy on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 5pm. Item 15, I declare the meeting closed at 10.27am. Thank you, everybody. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair, Mr CEO. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Director Rawlings: Thank you. Pat Spicer: Thank you.
14 NEXT MEETING ¶
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.
15 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.