SPECIAL MEETING Transcript

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ¶

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

3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶

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

4 SPECIAL MEETING REPORTS ¶

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00:01:00 The first report is the adoption of the 2025-26 budget policies, and we have our Financial Services Manager, Pauline Coles, in attendance, along with Acting Director of Portable Services, Margaret Gatt. And Pauline, could you give us a summary of this? Speaker 2: Good morning, councillors. Good morning. As required under the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council must annually review and adopt its investment policy, debt policy, revenue policy, and procurement policy. These statutory policies ensure Councils maintain sound financial governance and transparency, in line with legislative requirements. The remainder of the policies outlined in the report are not specifically required under legislation, but they represent best practice, and support strong economic and social development, internal controls, effective decision-making, and long-term sustainability. The majority of policies reviewed remain materially unchanged,

4.1 ADOPTION OF 2025-2026 BUDGET POLICIES ¶

▶ 00:01:06· Carried 7-0 from council's minutes

00:02:00 apart from minor grammatical, formatting, and disclosure improvements. However, key updates include the investment of surplus fund policy was renamed to investment policy, and this is to align the terminology used within the Local Government Regulation 2012. The debt policy has been updated to reflect the policy requirements, and proposed $5 million of borrowing for waste infrastructure in the 2025-26 financial year. The general rate donation policy has been renamed to general rate concession policy, and this aligns the terminology again with the relevant legislation. The policy was also expanded to include eligibility to support social and affording housing providers, and the standalone surf lifesaving category has been removed, with these organisations now assessed under the broader criteria applied to all sporting and recreational organisations. Ensuring the consistent assessment of concessions tied to the nature of commercial operations, liquor licences, and gambling facilities.

00:03:00 Council's internal debt recovery framework has been reinforced with a new external rates and charges debt management and recovery policy. This ensures consistency, fairness, and transparency in our debt recovery practices. The financial security policy provides a consistent framework for the acceptance, management, and release of financial securities such as bank guarantees and bonds. These securities are typically required by Councillor from developers, contractors, or leases to ensure compliance with conditions of approval, fulfilment of contractual obligations, or to secure the future of rectification works. Together these policies form the foundation of Council's financial management framework, reinforcing our commitment to prudent stewardship of public resources and continued service to our community. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Do we have any questions for Pauline? Does anyone like to move the recommendation? Move Councillor Wegener. Seconder? Councillor Sengler. Councillor Mary Lorentson. Any discussion?

00:04:00 Put us to vote. Those in favour? That's unanimous. That's carried. Next item is statement of estimated financial position for the 24-25 financial year, again Pauline. Would you give us a summary of this report please? Speaker 2: Again, in accordance with Section 205 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council is required to present a statement of estimated financial position as part of the annual budget adoption process. The statement of estimated financial position provides an estimate of Council's position for the 24-25 financial year. The position presented in the document consists of the financial position adopted at Budget Review 2 in January 2025 and continues to show a surplus position for Council for this financial year. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Any mover for the recommendation please? Councillor Finzel: Happy to move. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Finzel. That's second. Councillor Nicola Wilson. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried. Application, item 4.3, Application of National Competition Policy Reform.

4.2 STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE 2024-25 FINANCIAL YEAR ¶

▶ 00:04:19· Carried 7-0 from council's minutes

00:05:00 Again, Pauline Coles. Assembly please. Speaker 2: Okay. Each financial year, Council is required to decide whether or not it would be appropriate to apply National Competition Policy Reforms to its identified business activities. NCP reforms provide greater transparency over Council's businesses and assist with removing anti-competitive conduct and ensures the best allocation of Council's limited resources. Council has adopted NCP reforms with respect to the Waste Management and Holiday Park business activities since de-amalgamation in 2014. Council has undertaken a review of the nature of other services and activities it provides to the public, including community-focused activities. This includes public facilities, including aquatic leisure events, art and respite centres and cemeteries. Whilst these operations generate fees and operate on a partial user pay system, they do not have the necessary full-cost recovery and profit-making focus and therefore Council is not seeking to apply NCP principles to those specific businesses.

4.3 APPLICATION OF NATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY REFORM ¶

▶ 00:05:34· Carried 7-0 from council's minutes

00:06:00 Accordingly, the recommendation is to continue to apply full-cost pricing reform to the operations of waste management for the 25-26 financial year in accordance with section 4.3. Section 4.4.1 of the Local Government Act 2009, as these operations would be considered a significant business activity and exceed the set expenditure thresholds. And also to continue to apply the Code of Competitive Conduct to the Holiday Park's business activity for the 25-26 financial year in accordance with section 47 of the Local Government Act 2009. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Colleen. I'm happy to move the recommendation. And Council Stockwell. And Council Phillips. Thank you. Any discussion? If there's a vote that goes in favour, that's unanimous. We now come to the Budget Item 4.4, which is Budget Adoption. But before we do that, I'd like to move the operation of the Standing Orders, or any relevant provision, be suspended to allow Council to receive Budget speeches from the Councillors

00:07:00 and also a briefing from the Acting Director of Corporate Services, Margaret Gatt. I'd like to move that. We have a seconder, please. Second. Council Finzel. Second. All in favour? Thank you. Speaker 3: Acting Director Gatt. Good morning, Councillors. Good morning. Today, Council is fulfilling one of its most important responsibilities, adopting the annual Budget for the 25-26 financial year. This Budget sets the financial direction for the next 12 months and underpins the delivery of essential services, infrastructure projects and community programs across your region. Under the Local Government Regulation 2012, Councillors are required to ensure that the Government adopts a Budget at least once every financial year. The Budget before us today represents the results of careful planning, extensive analysis and alignment with our long-term goals and our financial sustainability policy. The total recommended Budget for the 25-26 year is $202.5 million, made up of the following.

00:08:00 $151.6 million in operating expenditure, which funds day-to-day services such as waste collection, parks and facilities maintenance, customer service, community programs and services. $50.9 million is in capital investment, including $27.5 million for asset renewals and $23.4 million for upgrades and new infrastructure projects. In addition to our annual capital works program, Council will also be finalising construction works for a $100-plus million disaster recovery program, funded in full by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, following the severe weather event in February 2022. We are recommending the following changes to rates and budgets. A 6.5% increase in the minimum general residential rate. An 8% increase in the waste utility charge, which reflects higher service delivery costs and the impact of the state waste levy. An increase in the environmental levy from $70 to $75, while all other levies will remain unchanged.

00:09:00 For most households, this will result in an estimated net increase of 6.7% in the minimum general rates bill. Council continues to be impacted by the same inflationary pressures that our residents are experiencing, rising costs across labour, asphalt, concrete, utilities, construction materials and service contracts. On top of that, we are factoring in a significant increase in labour costs as a result of an in-principle certified agreement. These cost pressures are also contributing to a flow-on increase in depreciation expense. Despite these challenges, we are presenting a balanced budget. With a forecast operating surplus of $77,000. This outcome has been achieved through prudent financial management, strong interest revenue thanks to higher interest rates and deferred capital spending, and ongoing efforts to ensure our fees and charges reflect full cost pricing and reduce cross-subsidisation. I am pleased to report that all key financial sustainability ratios remain within or exceed

00:10:00 Council's adopted targets. Confirming that this budget continues to support our long-term goals. In closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated staff, in particular Pauline, from across Council who has contributed to the development of this budget and to Councillors for their input and commitment to delivering a responsible outcome. I commend this budget to you for your formal consideration. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Director Gatt. Noosa is an exceptional place to live and our community expects a good standard of Council services. All Councillors have aimed to meet these community expectations, address the increase in costs

00:11:00 required to maintain these standards, and to minimise price impacts on households with this budget. Thank you, Director Gatt. Today, minimum general rates for a residential property, if approved, will increase $89, or 6.5%. This means that the majority of Noosa residential homeowners, those on the minimum general rate, face an extra $2.35 a week on their total rates notice, as part of a proposed 6.7% total increase on all rates, levies and charges to cover rising prices and maintain service levels. Waste collection charges for the 3-BIM service will increase $32 a week. This is due in part to the increase in the State Waste Levy from $115 to $125 per tonne to landfill, as well as a reduction in the Domestic Waste Levy subsidy from the State from 85 to 70%. The State Levy component of Noosa's Domestic 3-BIM charge will consequently increase from $10.80 to $22.50.

00:12:00 There has been no change to most levies except for the Environment Levy, which will increase $5 from $70 to $75 to help fund projects that conserve and enhance biodiversity within Noosa Shire, including purchasing land for conservation, support for conservation agreements and strategic environmental management programs and partnerships. The budget allows Council to meet all financial sustainability ratios for the 25-26 financial year, as set by the Queensland Government, and remain in the black. This is why Noosa Council remains one of 29 out of 77 non-Nurser Council members. To minimise impacts on ratepayers, councillors and staff worked through 10 budget workshops and identified savings across all departments. Rate rises for most residential properties were also limited to 6.5% by our decision to lift rates proportionally higher for short-term accommodation properties. Noosa is a relatively small council and continues to have lower rates in almost all rating categories

00:13:00 and in the environment levy than the larger councils in the region. This budget allows council a small surplus of $77,000 to ensure we maintain the community's equity and sustainably continue to deliver services. We have found efficiencies across all departments, but rising costs in electricity for street lighting, asphalt, wages, cement, steel and fuel and materials needed to maintain good levels of service have all had a significant impact. Labor costs reflect the increases negotiated through council's certified agreement, ensuring staff are appropriately remunerated, respecting that those who deliver council services are also impacted by cost of living pressures. In recognition of this, Noosa reminds only one of the few councils in Queensland to retain a 5% early payment discount. This is the equivalent of $72 for most ratepayers. Also eligible pensioners can access a rates rebate of up to $230.

00:14:00 Council also offers other methods of payments for those experiencing low rates. The capital budget of $50.9 million includes an investment of $27.5 million to renew existing infrastructure, popular community facilities and upgrade the Resource Recovery Centre. As mentioned previously, there is also $100 million being spent in the hinterland as part of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority disaster recovery works. Council intends to sustainably fund the capital plan via a mix of grants and external funds, to the value of $15.2 million. The capital plan will be used to support the recovery of the disaster recovery works. New borrowings to the tune of $5 million and cash of $29 million. There are a number of significant value projects funded in part by significant grants including the Doonella Bridge Renewal of $9 million, the Shire Road Resale Program of $5.6 million, the Noosa-Eumundi Noosa Road Landfill Resource Recovery Expansion Project of $5 million, the Kin Kin Wapunga Trial and Woodham Trial Renewal of $2.4 million and the Noosa Aquatic Centre

00:15:00 Filtration System Upgrade of $2.8 million. There is also $1.9 million for the expansion of the Cooroy Sports Complex indoor facility and improvements to the playgrounds, public facilities and park shelters that residents use and enjoy. These include $270,000 for the Pioneer Park playground renewal at Cooran, $96,000 for the Stan Copper Park amenities block renewal in Pomona, $94,000 for the Marendal Street amenities block renewal in Tewantin. $107,000 for the Noosa Mallshore Teewah Village pedestrian beach access improvements and $298,000 for ShireWide from the Council of Mayors City Deal Public Art Initiative. There is work that continues to improve services and our Shire such as the Customer Experience Program to enhance customer services and responses for the community. Continuing the implementation and monitoring of Queensland's first and only short-circuit

00:16:00 and long-stay letting local law. Continuing to implement the key actions of the Noosa Housing Strategy. Completing the Destination Management Plan and commencing the implementation of key actions, programs and partnerships from this plan. Continuing the delivery of the Community Bush Care Program for Active Volunteers. Finalising the Noosa Parking Management Plan. Commencing the implementation of the Muchaway to Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Management Plan. Delivering action on the Master Plan and the Noosa Parking Management Plan. Delivering plans for the Croy and Noosa Sports Complexes. And continuing the preliminary planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics. With this budget, the priority focus has been on minimising cost impacts on ratepayers while planning for the future. Maintaining services, covering rising costs and returning a modest surplus so we can cover emergent shocks and ensure the Shire's long-term financial sustainability. It takes on board and reflects the feedback councillors receive constantly throughout the

00:17:00 year. About what's important to this community. This occurs as part of the ongoing community conversations and engagement that occurs at community meetings, councillor coffee chats and thousands of submissions received for major plans such as the Housing Strategy, Planning Scheme Amendments, Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan and the Destination Management Plan. The budget aims to deliver the things that make Noosa one of the most extraordinary places to live in the world. And address the many challenges that these times bring. This would not have been possible without very robust input from all councillors, which I thank them, and the expert advice from professional staff, especially Pauline Coles and Margaret, that include great benchmarking data showing how Noosa Council is tracking in relation to other Category 3 councils and all others of all sizes across the region and Queensland. On behalf of all councillors, it's an honour to be tasked with delivering this challenging

00:18:00 and challenging task. I again thank them, and council staff, especially Pauline, for their efforts. Thank you. Can the councillors like to offer a speech on the budget? And we will allow longer than five minutes with special occasions. Councillor Wilson. Thank you. Councillor Wilson: Firstly, I want to thank Pauline, Director-General, and all the staff that have been involved in the work that goes into preparing the budget. With nearly 400 pages of document for today's meeting alone, there is a lot more that happens behind the scenes. There is an enormous process that supports every figure, from complex financial models to presentations for our many workshops. I want to also thank the executive team for all of their input into the process, especially in trying to keep costs down. And my fellow councillors for respectful and productive discussions over these last few

00:19:00 months. Thank you. Every year, when council sets a budget, it always publishes a ten-year forecast as well. And it's clear when we look ahead, costs are always going up. They never go down. The income from rates must also increase to absorb those costs. Without a growing population or rate base, that means an increase for every rate pay. Noosa has had a history of keeping rate increases low. And while that's great for rate payers at the time, and we enjoy having a lower rate bill than our neighbouring councils, there is a point where lower rates means there's less to spend. Making it harder for service levels to be maintained, and harder to attract and retain staff. Those lower rates in the past can cause increased costs later down the track. Our long budget process starts with projecting operating costs across the various departments, and looking for cost savings along the way while being conscious of service level agreements.

00:20:00 So, I want to thank all of you. This year is a big jump, we know. From a forecast of $141.1 million in 2025 operating expenses to $151.5 million in 2026, an increase in costs of $10.4 million. This reflects an increase of $5.1 million in wages, $3 million in materials and services, which includes our major contractors also experiencing wage increases, and an extra $1.5 million dollar increase in wages. Depreciation is reinvested in Renewal Works through the Capital Works Program. Once we arrive at the new cost base, we have to find the operating income to recover it. To be financially sustainable, we need an operating surplus each year, regardless of the bank balance. That is, our operating income has to be greater than operating expenses.

00:21:00 The operating surplus ratio of the operating income has to be greater than the operating surplus ratio is one of the nine sustainability ratios Council has to comply with, and we aim to just meet it with the smallest surplus. If we end the year in a better position, we top up our reserves to spend on emergent capital works. For this year, grants and interest income are expected to decrease by $2.4 million compared to 2025. This gap needs to be funded, in addition to the $10.4 million increase in expenses. Our main ways to generate income are through rates, levies and charges, fees and charges, and sales. Fees and charges are largely a user pays model, and the fees are set to recover the cost of the service. For example, the cost of Council offices to review a development application, or a contribution to the operating costs at the letter centre. Our sales come from the holiday parks and resource recovery centre, charged at market

00:22:00 rates to recover costs. The income statements are provided in the budget reports. I often get asked why it costs so much to take rubbish to the landfill, when it's just being dumped in a hole, isn't it? We need to get better at educating people about the cost to dump waste. There are huge costs in operating a landfill site, in sorting and moving the waste safely, maintaining compliance with environmental standards, managing the increasing levies and goals set by the state government, and setting aside funds for the huge task of remediation of the site once it reaches end of life. Each piece of waste creates a cost today, and for future generations. Across our fees and sales, we're looking to generate an extra $2.8 million to recover costs, which still leaves $10 million to balance the budget, a 10.6% increase over 2025, and this has to come from rates. In making decisions around rates, we're able to consider the types of land use, the different

00:23:00 categories of rate pays, and the types of use we want to encourage. We then try to ensure some rate pays pay well below that 10%. Highlights for me in this budget are to encourage small business through smaller increases to the commercial rates, especially on the minimum charge. Offer incentives for secondary dwellings via lower rates and removing infrastructure charges. Maintaining discounts for pensioners and hardship provisions. Encourage residential use in residential zones, with lower increases for PPR use, and maintaining non-PPR differentials for long-term rentals. Consider short-term accommodation as commercial, non-residential use, and increase the transit rate multiplier to help manage the impacts of SDA properties on our infrastructure and amenity, and encourage a return to residential use where appropriate. This has been a challenging budget to come to terms with.

00:24:00 I'm very conscious of rate payers being hit with cost increases from all angles, but I also support staff being paid a fair wage and service levels being maintained. The most common complaints I hear from residents are roads not being fixed and parks not being maintained. I hate having to say there was not enough in the budget for that, but we don't have the staff to do it. Rate payers should expect to have basic services met and to be able to see the value for their rates bill. The majority is still less than $2,000 per year, or about $37 per week, to have access to all of our Shire's infrastructure and services. Our $50 million capital budget focuses on roads, bridges, transport, waste management, community facilities, stormwater pathways and parks. We have to keep investing in our infrastructure when we are hit with increasing visitors and extreme weather events. And that's being spent all across the Shire. For me, this budget is founded in the basics. No new strategies, plans or initiatives.

00:25:00 Minor increases to headcount, and only in much needed positions in community services and customer service. To make interactions with Council more efficient. Completing what we've started and what we've committed to, with the destination management plan, short stay letting, parking plan, customer service and housing initiatives. I hope to be able to stand here next year to say, we deliver this for our residents and our clients. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Wilson. Who's next? Councillor Phillips: I'll go. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Councillor Phillips: Thank you. I'd also like to acknowledge Pauline and Mark for the workshops and the amount of professionalism and patience that you've shown to me and the Councillors through this process. I thank you very much. I'm going to be honest. I'm not completely satisfied with the overall outcome of the budget, but I do,

00:26:00 because I always want to see rates remain as low as possible for our ratepayers. But, in saying that, being part of every workshop and having the chance to speak up, question, challenge and be heard, I do feel confident in supporting the budget today. This year we're adopting a $202 million budget with $151 million in operating expenditure, and $50 million in actual works and, as Councillor Wilson said, a modest surplus of $77,000, which is a responsible outcome that keeps us financially sustainable and in the black. That said, I just want to speak on the figures that impacts on rural people. Council, like households and local businesses, is navigating the steep cost of increases. Asphalt, concrete, utilities, labour and service contracts are all rising well above CPI. And we've also seen the staff wage adjustments for our certified agreement. And I agree that we need to pay our staff for the work they do.

00:27:00 So let's be real, though. These pressures land on the ratepayers. And so I want to say this clearly, that I'm also not a fan of the cup of coffee a week comparison, because if everyone uses that, that's a lot of coffee. So the minimum general rate will increase by $89. The waste collection charge will go up to $32.50, partly due to the waste levy that we've heard. For residential properties, that's a 6.7% increase, or about $122 a year. And while some may say that's very manageable, I do know that there are some households, especially families and retirees, that every bit counts. That's why I want to now highlight the pensioner discounts and the rates, rebates that will continue to apply. And I'm proud that we have continued that. Electoral pensioners will still... ...receive 25% rebate on general rates, capped at $230 per year, which helps ease that burden. I'm also pleased about the rates hardship policy will remain in place,

00:28:00 ensuring that people experiencing serious financial, health or personal hardship won't be further penalised with interest if they're genuinely unable to pay. That's a kind, compassionate, balanced approach that we need. There's also continued support for secondary dwellings that meet the right criteria through the 25% general rate concession, which helps families and property owners who are contributing to housing solutions. I've spent my whole life here in Noosa. I've been a police officer here in Noosa. I'm a working mum, and I bring all that life experience into this role. But I do know what it's like to be on the receiving end of the rising bills and the worry about whether those increases genuinely reflect value. There's often commentary around high community expectations in Noosa, and yes, we have a passionate, engaged residents, but many of the locals that I speak to aren't filling out our surveys

00:29:00 or attending any of the meetings, and they just want to know that Council is doing its job well. Now, everyone's version of what essential differs, but for me, the core business is essential. The roads, the waste, the parks, the infrastructure, safety, these are the areas that define the quality of everyday life in our community. And that's where I feel our focus should always be. I've said it before, I do want to pause on blue sky thinking because I want to take a step back and review and make sure that our core functions are aligned with our community. Some of the initiatives and programs are worthwhile, but sometimes I wonder if we prioritise some over others. And I don't believe them. We should be trying to be everything for everyone. I'm much more comfortable investing in tangible, long-term benefits like the planned waste infrastructure, which I absolutely support. This is smart and necessary,

00:30:00 and I believe it firmly keeps us in our lane. And I'll continue to ask our community, what value are we delivering to ratepayers, and are we doing the basics well? I want to acknowledge around the table our continued leadership in managing the impact of short-term accommodation. The increased general rates for transit properties this year are significant, up to 27.8% on average, as high as 42% some. This reflects their commercial, non-residential impact on infrastructure, housing availability and community amenity. This isn't about punishing property owners, it's about fairness. It's about ensuring short-term lending contributes its share to services it draws on, and perhaps in some cases incentivising a return to long-term rental, so that our local workers, teachers, nurses and all our emergency services, small business owners can actually live where they work.

00:31:00 That in turn reduces the traffic, improves quality of life, and potentially strengthens our social fabric. I want to talk about next year's budget. I want to see some meaningful consultation, done in a way that reaches everyday locals that don't speak up, and those views matter. Looking ahead, I do believe that that is something that we should all commit to today. Not just online surveys, but let's do some genuine grassroots engagement, and make sure that we're reaching those quieter members of our community who don't want to raise their voice, but also carry the weight of the decisions we make today. I'd love to ask them right now, what do you want? Do you want more? Or do you want Council to stick to the basics and just do them exceptionally well? So today, I support this budget, absolutely. Not because it ticks every box for me, but I really respect the process. I value the transparency that we have had through this whole process.

00:32:00 And I know that showing up, being part of the conversation, and offering a grounded, practical voice is how I serve the people that have put me here. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Any other Councillors? Does someone like to move that we read? I'll speak. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Doing a budget in the local government is really a tricky task. If you put it into the context, if we were a board in a publicly listed company, we're in the unusual situation that we're probably a conglomerate of about 23 different businesses. And we have a large client-customer base, of which many of them are also the shareholders who get to vote for the board. So it is a classical balancing act between how much we deliver to our clients and our customers versus how much benefit, or in this case,

00:33:00 how much we charge our shareholders for rates. And this exercise this time has been really an interesting one. And a number of people have already noted the contribution of staff. And I thought, sitting back, it's quite interesting, actually, because it's been a process which is reflective of a lot of what happens in our community, is we have our manager of finances, Pauline Coles. And Pauline comes from a family who's got a road named after her in Pomona, a multi-generation Noosashire citizen. So she brings a whole lot of, not only knowledge of the community, but corporate memory as well. And then we have Margaret, who we've brought in this year, who has exceptional experience elsewhere and has informed our thinking in ways that is informed by the experience she's had. And as a result, we've had some really interesting conversations in the build-up to this. Now, we just heard about pause on blue-sky thinking, and it's a theme that we've heard a couple of times about a notion that spending too much time

00:34:00 looking at the future and setting strategies, setting future performance, in some way is contrary to the interests of the general rate payer. And I think in this budget, I can outline 16,180,850 reasons why I don't agree with that. Because when you look at the $50 million worth of capital works, you find that nearly a third of that, 32%. comes from grants. And I can guarantee you that every one of those grants was reliant on us setting the long-term strategy of having the future performance indicators, of having good consultation to show what else the community want us to deliver. So just going down that list, just of that 32%, when we did our corporate plan, which we're currently implementing, one of the second highest bit of input outside the general questions, the open question was, we need to do more to address the housing crisis.

00:35:00 So in this budget, we have 1.9 million to implement the housing strategy. We know that the environment strategy is something that every person values. And in this one, we've got 436,000 directly related to implementing the environment strategy. Many of our families participate in the community through their sporting organisations. And we've got nearly $2 million in here for implementing actions related to the sport and the recreation plan. One that implements the Croy Sporting Complex Master Plan and the other that helps address the issues identified in the Aquatic Centre Master Plan. We've got a changing places facility which allows inclusion down on the Noosaville foreshore of $500,000 to start implementing the plan we just adopted last week. One of the things we hear is that this council historically is good at planning,

00:36:00 but not doing. And one of the things which really has turned around and if you look at the transport strategy, in particular, the walking and cycling strategy, again, $1.179 million into footpaths in our capital works alone. And we also have the Noosa Trail Master Plan, which looks at the trail network in the hinterland, a further 1.2 million. We have a cultural plan and there's $298,000 there in grants for public and a small amount of $150,000 to our Coastal Hazard Adaption Plan to continue some of the planning to address the biggest risk that this council and councils for the next five decades or more will have to address that of climate change. Now there's only one other thing I want to highlight in that that is a subject of significant risk to all local governments. And one of the contributors to that risk, or the biggest contributor from our particular council,

00:37:00 is that we've got a landfill that produces methane, which is a very potent gas. So in this budget, we have nearly $10 million in upgrading capital works at the Resource Recovery Centre, of which $3.7 million is for capping the old landfill areas. Now we haven't made a final decision, but what we're working on there is a new approach which will see a solar-ready capping system that not only reduces the methane from that old landfill to effectively zero, but makes it easy for us, if we wish to proceed, to actually create a solar farm which will further reduce the emissions of this organisation. So councillors, I'll just focus on that one area, but I do think it shows that the really strong record of this council setting useful strategies and plans that guide us towards a future that's better for next generation, and that we then go out and look to invest in those plans

00:38:00 and get others to invest in them. And I think at $16 million of grants, if we were trying to do that by the general rate payer, it would be a 20% rate increase. So that's the reason why I think it's really important to continue our role in this role as councillors of setting the strategic direction, setting the long-term future and working towards it. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: Pauline and Mark, staff, thank you very much. It's been a good process and a really good result. And this just gives us a base for maintaining the paradise that we live in and continuing the vision for maintaining this paradise in the distant future. Thank you very much for your hard work. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Wever. I recognise. Anyone else wish to speak before we reserve standing orders? No, I have briefly. Yeah, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Well, it's been a long journey. We finally got here. This is very exciting for us

00:39:00 and hopefully our community. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people on whose country we live, work and play. A big thank you to all the staff. It's been really a pleasure to work with you and collaborate together as we put at the centre of our community, you know, the budget for this year. The CEO, like fellow councillors and the Mayor and mostly, first and foremost, our community. I'm not going to talk for long. We have heard the A to Z of budget and everything in between. I'm just going to quickly stick to the ABC. At the centre of our budget is our people and action and everything we do is for them. B, for everything to better this community as we build forward with a future vision and sustainable actions for our generations ahead. With a balanced, bold leadership, with a view of building better together with our community at the centre. And C, care for each other,

00:40:00 care for country and for our people. Care for the future we are shaping together. An unfolding story of identity, place and possibilities. Let's walk this path with open eyes and open hearts. Let's emerge together with courage, with connection and with vision. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Anyone else wish to speak? Councillor Larison. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you, I will. Before I speak to the details of this year's budget I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work of our council staff in particular to our director Mark and Pauline Coles and their team. Also I want to acknowledge the executive team and our CEO Larry Sengstock. And to my fellow councillors we've had some robust interesting conversations

00:41:00 Everyone has worked tirelessly across every department to help deliver a budget that's both financially responsible and in my opinion genuinely community focused. They've done this under tight deadlines and growing pressures and I want to thank you and the councillors around this room sincerely for their professionalism and commitment. Budgets to me are never about just numbers on a page. Budgets reflect our values. What we stand for as a community. For me that means making sure that we're looking after the people who live here. It means protecting the environment that makes Noosa so special. It means fairness accountability and making decisions that hold up not just today but well into the future. As councillors we have to weigh up hard decisions. That's our job. And when we do we should be

00:42:00 guided by what really matters not politics but by what's best for our community. We know times are tough for many. The cost of living is rising and every rate increase can stretch those already doing it tough. One of the biggest challenges we're facing right now is housing. Particularly for essential workers. Nurses, hospitality staff, lifeguards, tradies, teachers, wiries. The people who keep Noosa running and safe. And for many they're not just workers. They're my kids. They're our kids. They're our neighbours. The next generation trying to stay and build a life here in Noosa. We need them. And if we can't house them we risk losing the very soul of our community. That's why this budget continues to apply a more targeted approach to rates. Recognising that homes used for short term holiday letting

00:43:00 shouldn't be treated the same as those providing long term homes for locals. This year we've increased general rates again and it's a move that may encourage some owners to return their homes to the long term rental market where they're needed the most. When I'm out in community and also through our consultation processes during the destination management plan through our amendment process the Noosaville foreshore infrastructure management plan the community we ask the community what matters and they were very clear. Stronger rules around short stay lets smarter waste infrastructure and ongoing protection of our natural environment. And we've listened. We've stayed focused on the essentials what people expect from council rates roads and rubbish.

00:44:00 And the most important are of all residents. This year's capital works budget includes $17.4 million for roads bridges transport $10.3 million for waste and resource recovery $1.7 million for parks playgrounds and public amenities. We've also made sure that investment is shared fairly across the Shire with capital funding going to the hinterland at 12% our coastal areas at 17% our riverine areas 20% waste at 20% and Shire-wide projects 31% and I'm especially proud to see funding for projects that I've long advocated for over the last five years. Stormwater upgrades and biobasins safer walking and cycling routes across the Shire and continued investment in the Burgess Creek catchment plan. There's a quote I often come back to.

00:45:00 The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. And in Noosa we see that compassion every single day in our volunteers, our community groups and in people stepping up to help each other. That spirit is what this budget supports. We've invested over half a million dollars in the people and partnerships that make Noosa thrive. From grassroot environmental projects to local events like the Peregian and Cooroy Christmas carols and Christmas lights. These are the things that bring us together. Now I want to speak honestly about one of the biggest challenges we face going forward. And that's rates. We can't keep relying on ratepayers to absorb incremental increases year after year. But the reality is, unless we change how we approach revenue, that's exactly what will keep happening.

00:46:00 Our population growth is so modest. Just 136 new properties a year on average. So we're not seeing the kind of growth that would naturally expand our revenue base. If we're serious about easing the pressure on ratepayers, then we need to think differently. We need to plan smarter and we need to do better. That means looking at other ways to raise revenues. It means exploring state partnerships, grant opportunities and new funding models. It means making the most of our land holdings. And thinking strategically about how we use council owned assets. None of this will happen overnight. But the good news is that it is already starting to happen. And as a council, our commitment around this table must be to move forward together. This budget doesn't fix every problem. No budget ever does. But it does take careful, deliberate steps.

00:47:00 It's shaped by our values. Fairness, sustainability, accountability. And by what our community has told us is most important. And in closing, just a shout out to our residents. Thank you for your trust. We don't take it lightly. And every dollar in this budget carries responsibility. And we'll keep working to make sure that it delivers for you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Lorentson. Thank you everyone for your contributions. Thank you Pauline, thank you Margaret. I now move that standing orders be resumed. May I have a seconder for that please? Thank you Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? That's carried. We now move to the budget adoption items.

4.4 2025-2026 BUDGET ADOPTION ¶

▶ 00:47:59

00:48:00 Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. Motion 1 is that we adopt the following items. Which includes the statement of income and expenditure. The statement of financial position. The statement of cash flow. The statement of changes in equity. Relevant measures of financial sustainability. Long term financial forecast. The 2526 capital works program. The 2526 revenue statement. May I have a mover and a seconder for that please? Councillor Wilson. Have a seconder. Thank you Councillor Lorentson. All in favour? Sorry, any discussion? All in favour?

00:49:00 Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: I just wanted to again commend the process that we've been through. I've been through many budget processes in my time, in my career and yet it's been a very robust process over this last few months so thanks again. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Wilson. Any other councillors wish to speak? Put the motion those in favour? That's carried. Motion 2 is that pursuant to section 81 of the Local Government Act, Council adopts the categories into which rateable land in its local government area is categorised. And this includes the description of the categories and the methods by which land is identified and included in the appropriate categories. And there are about 31 of them. 34 of them. May I have a mover and a seconder for that please? Councillor Wegener. And a seconder, Councillor Wilson. Any discussion? All in favour? It's carried unanimously. Now I move to motion 3. Motion 3 is that pursuant to section 257 of the Local Government Act, Council delegates

00:50:00 to the CEO the power to identify for sections 84, 814 and 815 of the Local Government Regulation the rating category to which each person is eligible. And that is the parcel of rateable land belongs. Technical motion. Move the seconder. And a seconder please. Councillor Finzel: Happy to second. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. So that was Councillor Stockwell moved. Councillor Finzel seconded. Any discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. Now up to motion 4. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act, Council will levy the differential general rate for each differential rate category. And pursuant to section 77 of the Local Government Regulation fixes the minimum differential general rate to be levied for each general rate category as follows. And it's got again it mentions 36 separate categories.

00:51:00 We have a mover and a seconder. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I will move it. But just note that there was the words and the Local Government Regulation included. I don't think you read that part out. Mayor Wilkie: No. I am summarising. Councillor Stockwell. Thank you. Councillor Finzel is the seconder. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously. Motion 5 is that pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and section 103 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a separate charge to be known as the environment levy in the sum of $75,000 on each parcel of available land in the Noosaville Shire. We have a mover and a seconder. Councillor Wilson: I think he said $75,000. Mayor Wilkie: Oh, $75. Councillor Wilson: $75. Mayor Wilkie: $75. Councillor Lorentson. Happy to move. Thank you. I'll second. I'll second. Councillor Wilson. Any discussion?

00:52:00 All in favour? That's carried. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Could we do it 74,000? Mayor Wilkie: Motion 6. This is 6. Pardon me. I beg your pardon. Motion 6 is that pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and section 103 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a separate charge to be known as the sustainable transport levy in the sum of $30 on each parcel of rateable land in the Noosaville Shire to fund strategic transport infrastructure services and initiatives. We have a mover and a seconder for that. I'll move. Thank you Councillor Wilson. Seconded by Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? We have put it to the vote. Those in favour? It's carried unanimously. Motion 7. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and section 103 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council will levy a separate charge to be known as the heritage levy in the sum of $10 on each parcel of rateable land in the Noosaville Shire to fund services and

00:53:00 initiatives for preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Noosaville Shire. We have a mover. Seconded by Councillor Finzel. Of course. A seconder. Councillor Stockwell. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried. Now to motion 8. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and section 103 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a separate charge to be known as the bushfire resilience and response levy in the sum of $11.50 on each parcel of rateable land in the Noosaville Shire to provide support funding for services and initiatives directed at bushfire management and prevention. We have a mover and a seconder for that. Moved by Councillor Phillips. Seconded by Councillor Laurenson. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously. Motion 9. Pursuant to section 94 of each of the Local Government Act and the Local Government

00:54:00 Regulation, Council will levy a special rate to fund the service facility of the Noosaville Shire, known as the Noosa Waters Lock and Wear Maintenance Levy. We have a mover and a seconder for that please. Moved by Councillor Wegener. Seconded by Councillor Wilson. Any discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. Motion 10. Pursuant to those two sections, section 94 of the Local Government Act and Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a special rate to fund the service facility or activity comprising inspection, maintenance and remedial works in the Noosa Waters Estate Canal to be known as the Noosa Waters Canal Maintenance Levy. Those in favour? Oh sorry. We have a mover and a seconder. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'll move as per the recommendation. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Stockwell. We have a seconder. Councillor Wegener. Thank you. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously.

00:55:00 Motion 11. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a special rate to fund the service, facility or activity comprising projects and initiatives that advance recommendations of the 2008 Noosa Junction Commercial and Economic Planning Strategy to be known as the Noosa Junction Levy. We have a mover. Moved by Councillor Lorentson. We have a seconder. Seconded by Councillor Finzel. Any discussion? Those in favour? That's carried unanimously. Motion 12. Pursuant to section 94 of each of the Local Government Act and the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a special rate to fund the service and facility or activity comprising maintenance of the Hastings Street Precinct above the standard level of service Council provides known as the Hastings Street Precinct Levy. Those in favour? Councillor Lorentson. Seconder. Councillor Wilson. Any discussion? Those in favour?

00:56:00 That's carried unanimously. Motion 13. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a special rate to fund the service, facility or activity comprising the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the Noosa Heads Main Beach to be known as the Noosa Main Beach Levy. We have a mover. Councillor Wegener. We have a seconder. Councillor Stockwell. Any discussion? Those in favour? All in favour? Carried unanimously. Motion 14. Pursuant to each of section 94 of the Local Government Act and the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy a special charge to fund the service, facility or activity comprising a safety program for the Hastings Street Precinct including the provision of security patrols to be managed by the Hastings Street Association known as the Hastings Street Community Safety Charge. We have a mover. Councillor Phillips.

00:57:00 Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All in favour? Carried unanimously. Motion 15. Pursuant to section 5 of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011, the entire Local Government Area governed by the Noosa Shire is designated as a Waste Collection Area. Pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act and section 99 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will levy waste utility charges for the provision of waste management services in the 25-26 financial year. We have a mover and a seconder for that. Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel. Seconder. Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All those in favour? Carried unanimously. Motion 16. Pursuant to section 107 of the Local Government Regulation in Chapter 5, Part 3A, Division

00:58:00 3 of the Fire Services Act 1990, Councils will collect the Queensland Government's Emergency Management Levy, which it will include in the rates notice. May we have a mover of that? Councillor Lorentson. Seconder. Seconder. Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. Motion 17. That pursuant to section 118 of the Local Government Regulation, Council's rates and charges, together with the State's Emergency Management Levy, must be paid within 30 days after the date of issue of the rates notice. May we have a mover and a seconder for that please? Councillor Wegener. Seconder. Councillor Finzel. Any discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. Motion 18. That pursuant to section 130 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will allow a 5% discount to general rates only if all rates and charges are paid in full on or before

00:59:00 the due date, which is the 30th day after the date the rates notice issues. May we have a mover and a seconder for the 5% discount please? Councillor Stockwell. Seconder. Seconder. Councillor Lorentson. Any discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. That brings us to motion 19. Pursuant to section 133 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, compound interest of 12.12% accruing daily will be charged on all overdue rates and charges beginning on the day after the due date noted on the rates notice. May we have a mover and a seconder please? Happy to move. Thank you Councillor Lorentson. Seconder. Councillor Phillips. Discussion? All in favour? Seconder. Carried. Motion 20. Pursuant to section 120 to 123 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will grant a concession of $25 of the general rate, 25% of the general rate to a maximum of $230,

01:00:00 thank you Mr CEO, to all rate payers who are pensioners where the eligibility requirements are met. Move that please. Thank you Councillor Phillips. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell. Seconder. Seconder. Any discussion? A bit faster. Yeah. All those in favour? That's carried. Motion 21. Pursuant to sections 120 to 122 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will grant concessions to all rate payers meeting the eligibility criteria set out in Council's 2025-26 Revenue Statement and Council's general rate concessions policy. Move Councillor Lorentson. I've got a second. Seconded. Councillor Finzella. Finzella I think just beat you by the hair. Councillor Wilson. Any discussion? All in favour? Carried unanimously. Motion 22. That pursuant to sections 120 to 122 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will

01:01:00 grant concessions in the form of interest free payment periods of up to 2 years to rate payers that meet the eligibility criteria set out in Council's rates and charges financial hardship contract. Any discussion? That pursuant to sections 120 to 122 of the Local Government Regulation, Council will grant concessions to all rate payers meeting the eligibility criteria set out in Council's 2025-26 Revenue Statement and Council's general rate concessions policy. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously. Motion 23. Seconded. Councillor Wilson. Seconded. Councillor Wegener. Any discussion? Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: I just want to point residents' attention to those service level catalogues. Sorry. If you ever wonder what Council actually does and what all the employees are doing, then that's a great place to start. Mayor Wilkie: Also a point to Councillor Wilson. All those in favour?

01:02:00 That's carried unanimously. The next item on the agenda is the proposed amendment to the subordinate local law number 5 typing 215. And thank you, Pauline and Margaret, for your advice and guidance throughout this process. Speaker 3: Are there tenants here today? Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: And we have Director Richard MacGillivray here, Director of Regulation and Compliance, to give us a brief introduction. An overview of the report, please. Speaker 1: Correct. Good afternoon, Councillors. I think we're three minutes in. The report in front of you proposes an amendment to the subordinate local law number 5, parking, which has been identified by staff as due for a review given the long period of time since endorsement in 2015. Following the review, including benchmarking against a number of other local governments,

4.5 PROPOSED Amendment to Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015 ¶

▶ 01:02:17· Carried 7-0 from council's minutes

01:03:00 it is proposed to increase some penalty units under Schedule 3 for minor traffic offences and commence a community consultation process to seek public feedback on the proposed changes. As well as aligning with nearby local governments, the changes aim to improve regulatory effectiveness, discourage overstays, helping to alleviate congestion and improve parking availability in high demand areas, and to support businesses with parking turnover. The changes also respond to some anecdotal feedback from residents who have made comments that the current infringement amounts aren't enough of a deterrent. Particularly in high demand areas and during peak periods. The State Government sets penalty unit values each year. Currently, one penalty unit is $161.30, changing as of effective tomorrow to $166.90. Council's local law set out how many penalty units apply for each minor traffic offence.

01:04:00 Four of the minor offences types are proposed to change by 0.25 per cent. With the offence for parking in a disability zone proposed to change from two penalty units to four penalty units, which is in line with all other benchmarked local governments. If the proposal is supported, the next step would be to commence a 21-day public consultation process, and then this feedback would be presented in a further report for Council's consideration. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Speaker 1: Thank you, Kim. Mayor Wilkie: Questions? Thank you, Director MacGillivray. Any questions for the Director? Anyone care to move the recommendation? Councillor Lorentson: Happy to move. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. We have a seconder, Councillor Finzel. Anyone wish to speak to the motion? All in favour? It's carried unanimously. There are no confidential sessions. That is the last item on the budget agenda. And I declare the meeting closed at 12.05pm.

5 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION ¶

▶ 01:04:56

01:05:00 And thank you, everybody, for your attendance and excellent contributions throughout this process. Thank you. Councillor Phillips: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you.