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00:00:00 Mayor Wilkie: I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people, pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging and also like to acknowledge their recognition that we share the roles of joint custodians in respecting and caring for this beautiful place that we all love and respecting and caring for each other. Now to all councillors that are in attendance, we come to confirmation of the minutes. We'll have a mover and seconder for the minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee meeting held on 9th September 2025 which was deferred from the P&E meeting. Councillor Lorentson: I'm happy to move. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Lorentson. Happy to second please. Happy to second. Councillor Phillips, thank you. All in favour? That's carried unanimously. We'll have a mover and seconder for the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on the 18th September 2025. Happy to move. Thank you. Thank you Councillor Finzel. Second. Councillor Wilson. All in favour? That's carried unanimously. I believe we have one petition. Councillor Lorentson. I have a petition.
00:01:00 Councillor Lorentson: Can I have the wording please? I have a petition in front of me that contains 126 signatures with respect to concerns that a significant number of residents have in regards to the Active Street proposal for the Lorikeet Drive and subsequently for Shearwater, Piper and Plover streets. The petition with 144 signatures has been submitted by David Phipps and I request that Council pause, review and make further consultation on the Active Street project at Peregian Beach and I request it be received and referred to the CEO to determine appropriate action.
00:02:00 Mayor Wilkie: Alright? I'll second that. All in favour? Carried unanimously. There are no presentations. We have one deputashin and 15 minutes allocated to the deputation. The Speakers are Neville Haslett… Not nasal heffill. Okay. But Neville Haslett. Haslet. And Barb Allen from the Noosa Bridge Club, and the top is the Noosa Bridge Club, which I'd like to come to the lectern and present your deputation, we've got 15 minutes for you. Speaker 1: Good morning everybody, and thank you for accepting our attendance today. Nasal and I, and I'm not nasal, represent the Bridge Club, and I'm the president of the current committee of 11,
Deputation: NEVILLE HAZLETT, NOOSA BRIDGE CLUB ¶
00:03:00 and Neville is a management push-along do-it-man, he's great. If I can just give you a little bit of the history of the club, which I've only been a member of for three years, so some of this was news to me as well, but anyway, I will share that with you. So in 1977, the inaugural meeting of nine members formed the Noosa Bridge Club, happening in Hastings Street, with Luke Tershwell, who's now in his nearly 90s. Opening Belmondo's doors to like-minded bridge players. From there, games were played in private homes, Pine Tree Resort Motel, Noosa Bowls Club, and later at the Sunshine Beach Circus. In 1986, the club had the foresight to purchase a 29-year-old church hall in James Street. As pressure mounted for development in that area, some eight years after owning the building,
00:04:00 the club was offered council land at Wallace Park to relocate, and we happily reside there today. Anticipating a surge in membership, a large extension was added to the former church hall, carried out mainly by members. Today, we enjoy the considerable efforts of our former founders, and our club has blossomed to 370 members, with a cap of 400, the capacity of our building. We are, in fact, one of the very few bridge clubs nationwide with a growing membership, which we love. Play happens five days a week, five days per week. Christmas days and Sundays, the only days that we remain closed. And sessions are four to four and a half hours in duration. Our demographic is creeping upwards, 68 being the average age of our member.
00:05:00 We have five members over 90, and because they have recently been offered free play as a 90-year-old, there are 20 others aspiring to get to that magical figure. Inspiration. On the day of no play, that's a Tuesday, the club opens for beginners' lessons, supervised play, and various other teacher groups, along with our management committee meeting held once a month. Members have bonded over one very large extended, to a very large extended family unit, a culture that we currently actively create. For many, coming to bridge four or five times a week has become their lifeblood, and only form of socialisation outside of their homes. Before play, as many as 30 members arrive three quarters of an hour before play, to wet their social appetites.
00:06:00 I might say I'm one of them. We're tragics. Following play, it's often hard to move the members on because of the same reason. So we have a wonderful problem. As an activity, we can clearly claim that we mitigate against cognitive decline in a massive way, which is great for the individual, their families, and the community at large. Life's tough challenges for many of our members simply disappears because of the mental challenges, and they get by by playing bridge and making the connections within the club, keeping isolation and depression at bay. Many of our members draw from some sort of pension, and often state how fabulous it is that we keep our fees to $100 a year as a joining fee, and $7 per game fee. Most affordable rates indeed. The club is run by 68 volunteers, 11 of whom form the management committee.
00:07:00 Many subcommittees exist to consider IT, strategic planning, rules and ethics, social events, housekeeping, maintenance, publicity, teaching, we go on. And also we run an app that is an organiser for our partnership arrangement. All in all, we run a pretty seamless organisation. We employ an admin officer for 10 hours a week to keep the place trouble free. We pride ourselves in listening to our members, being change agents if required, assisting with four local charities annually, Katie Rose, the Parkinson's Group, Salvation Army and Santa's Little Helpers at Christmas, and always try to do the best via our membership. In summary, we've had 370 very happy Vegemites.
00:08:00 Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Barb. You're welcome, Neville. Neville Hazlett: Thank you. My throat's only got a bit drier. Speaker 1: Just listening to me. Yeah, well, no. I'll tell you. Neville Hazlett: Mr Mayor, councillors, council officers, I'm Neville Hazlett, and I'm part of the Bridge Club Management Committee. Thank you for this invitation and opportunity to outline some of our issues and problems, which we hope you will receive positively. We invite the Councillor to consider our position and interests and note the contradiction between Council's tree management policy and our ability to support Council's zero emission target. We are hindered from supporting Council's Living Well initiatives, and we are being
00:09:00 disadvantaged financially by this policy. Our current difficulties are financial pressures. And our financial pressures are, in one instance, Rock Rainier Club is difficult because we have continuing economic issues around building maintenance, around running costs, and upcoming expenditure for technology and to upkeep our building. Specific immediate problem is the cost to power the building, which is a result of a necessary air conditioning system to make the internal ambient conditions reasonable or weather conditions. In the summer, we have to cool, and in the winter we have to heat. And that generates a lot of power consumption, and our power bills are running at about $10,000 a year and likely to increase. The solution, or the potential solution, which upgrades the existing old and inefficient
00:10:00 solar system with a new, improved and more efficient one, is somewhat constrained, and significantly constrained, I should say, by the adjoining costs. Shading in some parts of the year reduces the soil generation by 50% and averages around 30%. So this data points to a progressive shading increase and the encroaching vegetation grows as the vegetation develops. As a result of tree shading during the winter months, the proposed new solar system is unable to generate enough power to service our needs, which occurs from the May to July period and the shoulder periods of April and August are a bit marginal. The proposed solar system, according to the supplier, provides the following environmental benefits. They talk about avoided CO2 per year, which is equal to 25 tonnes.
00:11:00 Surprising, I thought. And according to Google, the tree absorption rate per fully grown tree per year is between 25 and 55 kilograms. Therefore, our solar panels achieve the equivalent CO2 reduction benefit of 550 trees per year. The lifetime benefits are even more stunning. Solutions. Possible solutions are, we would appreciate the Council removing the shading vegetation, which will require a change to the existing tree management policy, or some form of special discrimination. I assume this would be achieved by pruning and would require monitoring to ensure that further growth was kept aligned with our minimised shading requirement. The second proposal, a possible solution, is a financial one. It's a financial problem for us, so maybe it's a financial solution for you guys. Our suggestion is that we would be open to the Council acknowledging the imposition of shading has on our costs
00:12:00 and would be happy to enter into that solution. Second problem. We have many. The main entrance to our building is a concrete path that's been there for a long time, presumably from the beginning of the building or the building's construction. And in certain circumstances, our members are having trouble entering and egressing the building. This is a result of the pathway follows a land contour. It's steep and has to transition between the level front door and the much lower sloping driveway that feeds to Walsh House and the car park. The pathway, by necessity, therefore, falls in two directions, and for those of us that are struggling with mobility,
00:13:00 in the wet conditions, for example, could easily lose footing and fall. This has occurred and should, with some priority, be reconciled. To be perfectly clear, this is a significant risk and for recovery for the elderly, me maybe, is a different process than if you're young. So it is quite important for us. Possible solutions. The installation of a handrail to the side of the existing pathway, which is with steadying support members arriving at the parking. Unfortunately, the handrail will need to do a couple of things. It has to curve because the pathway is curved and it falls also, but not at a regular rate. So the handrail is quite complex and quite difficult to produce and we are having trouble actually inviting someone to volunteer to do that. Second solution is to actually start again and take the pathway out and put a new pathway into the building, which would actually take a different position.
00:14:00 It would actually be straighter and run into the driveway at a higher point and therefore reducing the fall required and making the pathway a lot safer. But it does mean L1 goes, U1 goes in. At the same time, we would also recommend putting a handrail beside the straighter pathway, which is much easier and would cover the risk to falls in that respect. Last one. Third, building maintenance is a problem for us. The increasing burden on our members, the natural crisis of repair and replacement, as building components wear out, is exacerbated by the economic pressures of inflation, by the ageing of components that don't last forever and the harsh conditions our building has to endure, including being closely surrounded by vegetation. The labour actually accelerates the maintenance requirement and places additional pressure on our resources. The approaching vegetation's root structures are already undermining our foundations
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00:15:00 and potentially disrupting our underground services. The close vegetation also increases the building risks to fire and cyclone damage. As I understand, privately owned properties in Noosa are rationally allowed to separate the adjoining bush and vegetation by three metres. Our discussion with Council of Arbor has confirmed that Council will remove only vegetation physically touching our building. This approach does not encourage the longevity of our building and doesn't support our interests. It does only replace the vegetation in a preferential position. Our solution is to clear a three metre wide buffer zone around our building as is regarded elsewhere as prudent. This work should include works to ensure advancing tree roots are removed from our building's footprint. In summary, we believe the Noosa Council represents the wider Noosa community. As we are the same, we represent the same people. We support and encourage our members to strive
00:16:00 to live fulfilling lives. We try to operate independently, as our generations used to do, but we have come across Council initiatives that effectively work against us, which reinforces our view that we are less important than surrounding vegetation. We invite Council to reassure us that you also have our best interests at heart, and we count. In 1994, when we relocated and built the existing bridge buildings, we effectively gifted the building to the Council as observed by the then Shire Clerk, Mr VB Davidson. We had, we, and I'm sure you will also see, that this generosity should be reciprocated and recognised, as we require to allow our continuing operations which benefit our collective members. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. We now come to public question time.
00:17:00 We have two submissions. The first is, two questions are from Mrs Pat Spicer. Pat, you know your way to the lectern. Thank you. And your questions will be answered by Kim Rawlings, Director of Strategy and Environment. Thank you. Pat Spicer: My name's Pat Spicer. Through the Chair. Background information. The Residential Activation Fund has an infrastructure focus as well as greenfield development, most relevant to 64 Lake McDonald Drive. The strategic importance of the RAF is to support Queensland's plan to build one million new homes by 2044. By funding trunk and essential infrastructure, it helps housing developments proceed more quickly and efficiently. As such, the fund is totally linked to housing output without delay. So my question. What implications impact does receiving a grant
Public question: PAT SPICER ¶
00:18:00 through the Residential Activation Fund for infrastructure work at 6264 Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, have for future uses of lots two and three of the subdivision? Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: And the answer will be delivered by the CEO. So Kim's running late to the meeting. So I'll provide that for you, Pat. Speaker 4: So this is Kim's response, or our response as an organisation. The Residential Activation Fund is for infrastructure to support housing, not for the construction of residential buildings. It's for the construction of housing itself. Proposed lot one will provide housing, as a lot will be sold to Coastal Bay Housing Group for the construction of 25 much needed community housing units. Once the subdivision is finished. Proposed lots two and three will be investigated for a range of land uses, including housing, in accordance with the Council resolution dated 23 January 2025, including community consultation. Pat Spicer: Thank you. Thank you. Background information. The July budget report, 18th of the 8th of 25,
00:19:00 included the loan item for 6264 Lake McDonald Drive, because there was an embargo on the funding schemes that Council believed will be realised through the program. Council was anticipating taking out that loan and so achieved the other known sources that we can't talk about at this juncture due to Council's commitment with other levels of government around funding announcements. This budget report for July indicates Council had the funding through the Regional Residential Activation Fund, but had to wait for Queensland Government announcement before making the information public. The consideration for taking out a loan substantiates the condition that applicants may be required to provide a matching contribution to the project, often in the term of financial investment.
00:20:00 Coast to Plan Building Commencement, July 2026, meets the 12-month criteria from receiving the grant in July 2025. My question. As Council has a grant of $4.1 million for trunk infrastructure for 6264 Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, from the Residential Activation Fund, and the cost of the contract, which will result in the infrastructure cost of the project, is approximately $6 million. Will Council be activating the loan facility or using Council reserves to cover the balance of the costs? Speaker 4: Thank you, Pat. So our response then is Council continues to explore opportunities as outlined in item D of Council resolution dated 23 January 2025. A loan facility is being investigated along with pursuing further grant opportunities. Thank you.
00:21:00 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Pat. The next application is from Ms. Rhea Den Brassen, who couldn't be here today, but has requested Pat Spicer read her questions. Ms. Spicer. Pat Spicer: Through the Chair, on behalf of Rhea Den Brassen, the background material. In relation to the subdivision of 64 Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, Council's resolution, the 20th of January 2025, states, any process to consider future use of the remaining two lots should investigate options for the sites and ensure the process involves community consultation. The Residential Activation Fund provides funds for trunk and essential infrastructure that is fundamental in getting more homes built sooner. The fund has a definite timeline for projects to begin soon after receiving the grant and a completion date for projects to begin within three years.
Public question: RHEA DEN BRAASEM ¶
00:22:00 Council's timeline for lot one meets this criteria. But what about consultation regarding lots two and three and the trunk infrastructure is being provided across all three lots? The grant is designed to increase supply, support affordability and encourage faster development. Receiving this grant appears to be a cart-before-the-horse situation in relation to Council's community consultation with the City of Cooroy, and the resolution in the resolution. So Ria's question. What implications, impact, does a grant through the Residential Activation Fund for infrastructure work at 62-64 Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, have in relation to community construction or future use of lots two and three? Sorry, community consultation. Mayor Wilkie: Mr Sengstock. Speaker 4: Thank you again Pat. Council is communicating with the City of Cooroy that lots two and three will be committed to community consultation to help shape future land uses on proposed lots two and three
00:23:00 and Council's success in the Residential Activation Fund does not impact on that commitment. The Residential Activation Fund is for trunk infrastructure not for the housing itself and the infrastructure works will be completed by around March 2026 meeting the three year timeframe required of the Residential Activation Fund comfortable. Community consultation on future uses for lots two and three will likely occur in 2026. Pat Spicer: Thank you. Background information. Providing and connecting development to essential infrastructure is considered part of development in Noosa Shire. In regard to the timing for community consultation, question 15, question on the 15th of May 2025, community consultation is unlikely to formally begin in the next 12 months. Expected completion of the subdivision works is prior to such a vague date. Response to public question the 15th of May 2025,
00:24:00 the definition of community consultation said, prior to the development of lots two and three or even the commitment of their future use, Council will consult with the whole community. Certainly one would hope consultation does occur even before the commitment of their future use. That is the intent of the resolution of the 20th of January 2025. The response to public question states consultation will occur prior to the development of lots two and three. Connecting trunk infrastructure is considered part of development in Noosa Shire. Connecting trunk infrastructure will occur with the completion of the subdivision work. So Ria's question is, will community consultation regarding the future use of lots two and three, 64 Lake MacDonald Drive, Cooroy, be held before the subdivision works, which will provide the trunk infrastructure for the future use of lots two and three?
00:25:00 Speaker 4: Thank you, Pat. So the response is no. Community consultation will not take place prior to the subdivision works being completed. As previously advised, community consultation on future uses of lots two and three will likely occur in 2026. Most land uses, including those identified to be investigated for lots two and three by Council resolution dated 23 January 2025, require some level of servicing and infrastructure to operate. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Ladies and gentleman, we have a 10 minute adjournment, and we'll be back in 10 minutes.
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00:38:00 Okay, we're back everybody. The meeting's been reopened. It brings us to item 9. There are no mayoral minutes. We have no notified motions. It brings us to consideration of the committee reports. 11.1 Audit and Risk Committee Recommendations. 11.1.1 Governance and Policy Update. 11.1.2 Risk Management and BCP Update. 11.1.3 ICT Cyber Risk Report. 11.1.4 Internal Audit Update. 11.1.5 2425 Draft Financial Statements.
00:39:00 Nanda Financial Year Update. 11.1.6 is the Queensland Audit Office KPMG Combined Interim Report. And there's a summary report of this one directed to Council on this subject later in the agenda at item 12.3. And the 11.1.7 is the Audit and Risk Committee Recommendations on Block. I have a move and a seconder for the Audit and Risk Committee Recommendations. Councillor Wilson. I have a seconder. Councillor Wegener. All in favour? It's carried unanimously. 11.2 Planning and Environment Committee Recommendations. 11.2.1. Planning Applications Decided by Delegated Authority for August. 11.2.2 is an MCU Development Application for Other Change to Develop and Approval for Commercial Business Type 1 Office, Commercial Business Type 2, Medical to Healthcare Centres, Hospital and Hospital Infusion Centre and RAL19000407 Reconfiguration Lot at 36 to 40 Hockney Drive, Noosaville.
00:40:00 11.2.3 is an MCU Development Application for Material Change and Use for Short-Term Accommodation, Backpackers Accommodation at 17 Russell Street, Noosaville. 11.2.4 Planning and Environment Committee Recommendations on Block. I have a move and a seconder for the Planning and Environment Committee Recommendations to be adopted. I have a seconder. Councillor Morrison. Councillor Morrison. Councillor Phillips. All in favour? That's unanimous. 11.3. Services and Organisation Committee Recommendations. 11.3.1 is Minor Amendments to Fees and Charges Registered for Commercial Fees. 11.3.2 Noosaville Shire Council Solvers Specialised Supplier Lists. Councillor Phillips. Speaker 5: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: That's a declaration. Speaker 1: Oh. Speaker 4: Are we at the conference?
00:41:00 Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Phillips: Thank you. I, Councillor Phillips, inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in relation to item 11.3.2 Noosaville Shire Council's sole and specialised supplier list on this agenda in relation to the Hastings Street Association being the sole supplier list as my sister-in-law Joanne Phillips is on the committee of the Hastings Street Association and as a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while this matter is considered and voted on. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Phillips. Councillor Anderson. Councillor Lorentson: I also have a declarable conflict if I could have that on the screen. Thank you ladies.
00:42:00 In accordance with Chapter 5 of the Local Government Act 2009 I inform the meeting that I Councillor Laurenso have a declarable conflict of interest in this manner item 11.3.2 Noosaville Council's This is the sole and specialised supply list on this agenda because my husband, Chris Lorentson, was previously employed as general manager at Page Furnishes, Pty Ltd, a role he held for 32 years. However, the company is no longer trading and he's no longer an employee. He's no longer employed there. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person would have a perception of bias or personal gain in this matter. 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. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Through the chair, I have a question for the CEO.
00:43:00 In Councillor Lorentson's statement just then, she said the company is no longer trading. I just want clarification given it exists on our supplies list. Thank you. Speaker 4: Through the chair, my understanding is that, yes, we've established that it is no longer trading, but it is still on the list. So it's this sort of grey area right now. We will take it off the list following this meeting. But for the sake of clarity for IPNS, Councillor Lorentson and I have chosen to do the CLI. Councillor Finzel: Through the chair, yes, thank you. I would like it made at the previous meeting. I did request the staff to get back to me for clarification regarding the matter. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. So we can move whether Councillor Lorentson can stay in the room or not. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, happy for the standard recommendation regarding staying in the room. Mayor Wilkie: Seconder for that, please. Councillor Wilson: I second.
00:44:00 Mayor Wilkie: Is there any discussion? All in favour? Councillor Lorentson. Sorry. . . All councillors were in favour, with the exception of Councillor Lorentson, who did not vote, and Councillor Phillips, who was absent. Okay, now, can we have a move and a second for the committee recommendation regarding the sole and specialised supplier list? Councillor Finzel. Happy to leave. Thank you. Councillor Wegener, who should speak to it? Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: No, Mr Chair. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All in favour? That's unanimous, with the exception of Councillor Phillips. Can we have Councillor Phillips back to the meeting, please? Thanks, Councillor. So. Okay, that brings us to 11.3.3, Register of Pre-Qualified Suppliers for Provision of Tree Management and Maintenance Services, RP25003.
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00:45:00 11.3.4, 2526 Out-of-Ground Community Ground Up. Application for a Three-Year Community Alliance Agreement. 11.3.5 is the Council Meeting Schedule for 2026. 11.3.6 is Change of Time and Menu for the Ordinary Meeting, dated 20th of November, 2025. 11.3.7, Services and Organisation Committee Recommendations En masse. And the mover and seconder will be Services and Organisation Committee Recommendations En masse. Happy to move, Mr Chair. Councillor Finzel. Happy to second. Seconder, Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? No discussion. That's carried unanimously. Brings us to 11.4, General Committee Recommendations. 11.4.1 is the CEO's View and Review. 11.4.2, the Financial Performance Report for September. 11.4.3 was deferred to the Ordinary Meeting, which regards the other change in 5 Mobile Street, Cooroy. We'll deal with that later.
00:46:00 11.4.4, Sunshine Creek Slope Stability Contract Award. Confidential Contract Variation for Project Management Services, 2022 Flood Recovery and Reconstruction. 11.4.5 is another confidential item, which is the Contract Variation for Project Management Services, 2022 Flood Recovery and Reconstruction. 11.4.6 is the General Committee Recommendations En masse. And the mover and seconder will be Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Happy to move. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel. Councillor Stockwell. Happy to second. Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously. That brings us to the report direct to the Ordinary Meeting. 12.1 is the Application for Other Change to an Existing Improvement for Material Change of Use, Indoor Entertainment, Clubhouse, Sport Recreation, Bowling and Ranging, to Material Change of Use, Outdoor Sport Recreation, Food Bring Out, and Medium Impact Industry, being a Distillery for 5 Mobile Street, Cooroy. And we welcome that to the meeting.
00:47:00 Thank you Patrick and Richard. The item was approved by the General Committee to allow councillors to meet the applicant. We have Development Assessment Manager Patrick Murphy here to give us a summary of the report and perhaps some potential changes. Speaker 2: Okay. I might let Matt do a summary of the report. No? Okay, we'll talk to the summary of the changes. Speaker 5: Yeah. So yeah, in summary, the application, as it was stated, is a change to the existing approval. So that's to regularise the definitions under the planning scheme and apply for it as an outdoor sport and recreation, food and drink outlet, and medium impact industry for a distillery. The site is zoned recreation and open space and the primary use of the bowls club remains unchanged and is supported by a long-term agreement ensuring... Sorry. Sorry, community. Yeah, through the chair, apologies.
00:48:00 Generally without a camera. Understood. Okay. So yeah, the food and drink outlet, it maintains its ancillary nature and its ancillary to the primary recreational use. And yeah, the medium impact industry is small scale being 28 square metres and it's within an internal room within the development. It's got limited production and there's minimal demand. Because it's defined as a medium impact industry. The, I'll move over to this one. Yeah, there's key conditions that we're going to discuss in more detail today. And the conditions include the management of deliveries, restricting patient access to sensitive areas, and ensuring that noise and amenity is complied with.
00:49:00 The hours of operation, there's key conditions we'll discuss today about that. And the ones that we're recommending are consistent with planning codes and acoustic recommendations. And it's also, the conditions ensure that it's, the use is appropriate to the site's zoning and primary recreational use. And also that the proposed food and drink outlet and distillery remains ancillary and in the future supports and respects and not undermines the primary function of the development as a bowls club. I think overall, the proposal balances recreation, commercial, and community interests. And this application is recommended for development. So the recommended conditions that we're going to be discussing in more detail now.
00:50:00 Speaker 2: Thank you. Through the Chair. Councillors, I assume you've received an email from me with an amended set of conditions. When we were at the general committee meeting, there was some discussion around some of the hours of operation. Particularly around the allowance for patrons to be bowling on site from 7am. And then there was the food and drink outlet compliance. That component was limited to not commence till 10am. And understanding that the applicant has also put forward a range of conditions that he would like to see modified in relation to the recommendation. I've prepared an amended set of conditions which I'll run you through. As, I just want to point out that this process has been quite condensed. To review 10 or so conditions within a 24 hour period is quite a significant task.
00:51:00 And would normally be undertaken through a representations process which would allow significantly more time to do so. And the representations period is still available to the applicant. And also that what has been applied for is a food and drink outlet. So the conditions have been applied reflective of that intended use. I think some of the preferences for the applicant would be pushing the needle a little bit away potentially from a food and drink outlet more towards a bar, hotel. So we just kept that in mind in terms of how we have conditioned and made changes to the condition. I can just run you through the changes. Firstly, condition 33 identified that there was a spelling mistake of the word maneuvering. So that was corrected. Condition 37 relates to the hours of operation. And we've sought to amend that condition to allow a 7am operation of the food and drink outlet in the medium impact industry to align with the fact that there will be patrons on site from 7am utilising the bowling facility.
00:52:00 And maintained the 9pm finish time on the Monday to Thursday and the Sunday to public holidays allowing an 11pm finish time on Fridays and Saturdays. The playground, we've extended the hours of the playground use from 8pm to 9pm. It's proposed to do so. Again, based on the fact that there will be people on the premise at that time. So just a general alignment with those other conditions when parents will be utilising the facility. So that was condition 39. Condition 49. Through the review, it was identified that there was a spelling mistake of the word maneuvering. And that the condition was asking for demonstrated compliance prior to the use commencing. That creates practical issues.
00:53:00 So that's been amended to require that the review of the certification is done within three months of the commencement of the use. And that it confirms that the use is operating and will operate in accordance with the approved noise impact assessment. Condition 50. There's been a removal of the word environmental to align that noise impact assessment title with the approved document. And also added and less further modified by these conditions which is a statement that is consistently used throughout the recommended conditions. Condition 59 was initially pointing to a table to set noise limits. The analysis of the background levels. And the compliant increase above those background levels had already been identified within condition 45. So it's recommended that condition 59 refer to condition 45 as opposed to the table.
00:54:00 And then additionally as a follow on condition 60 which requires that the mechanical equipment be certified. That it complies with the requirements of the noise requirements. Again points back to condition 45 and not table 1 as previously mentioned. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Good questions. Councillor Lorentson: Patrick you just mentioned. Councillor Lorentson. Thank you. Patrick you mentioned just before that representation is still available to the applicant. Can I. Mayor Wilkie: Oh sorry Councillor Lorentson. Excuse me Nick. There's no filming in here. There's no filming. Oh I beg your pardon. There's no filming. Keep going Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: My question is does that mean that the applicant after today's meeting still has an opportunity to review or ask for an amendment of some of the conditions if they're not workable or
00:55:00 burdensome? Speaker 2: I agree with the Chair. That is correct. There is a representations process that is available for all of the conditions that have been recommended to be changed or deleted. Whatever the case may be. Whatever the applicant may seek. And then for us to consider those within a time frame. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Does that also include and I'm just looking at conditions 64 to 68 in terms of the requirement to remove the easement along Diamond Lane and related conditions? Speaker 2: Through the Chair yes that's correct. All the conditions that would form part of an approval could representations could be made to those conditions. Councillor Lorentson: Fantastic. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Councillor Finzel. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Through the Chair. Thank you to the staff. I know that everyone's had to work considerably fast in the space to approve this report in a timely manner to the table. With regards to the Diamond Lane extension I headed out on site for a visit yesterday to inform
00:56:00 my own mind in support of the Bowls Club. So the green from my understanding the size that it currently sits at cannot be removed minimised because they won't be able to do anything. It's a competition. So can you please speak to us about the widening of that lane. Will that affect the capacity of the Bowls Club to able to still run professional tournaments to ensure the green is at competition level? Speaker 2: Through the Chair. So the condition would require an easement that's two metres wide along that full length of that boundary which is approximately seven metres long. An easement that's two metres wide along that full length of that boundary which is approximately six metres long. The Bowling Green does exist within part of that 70 metres, a significant part of the 70 metres. The Bowling Green is approximately three metres from the boundary. An easement would leave obviously one metre.
00:57:00 It's noted that the application seeks to utilise another part of the green for the purpose of an outdoor drinks area. It's also indicated that the application seeks to utilise a portion of the green for We also noted that there's significant area to the Opal Street frontage which has not been developed, which would have capacity if required for the green to be extended. The point I made about the application encroaching into the green is that potentially the green could be swung around and that area removed to give greater width. But also the works that would potentially be required in the future have not been determined. A number of dedications have been taken in that laneway from previous applications or previous approvals that have been issued. It's important to take this opportunity to enable the future facilitation of roadworks or pedestrian linkages.
00:58:00 We have also identified changes within our laneways in Cooroy. It's an identified outcome of the scheme, identified strategic intent through the local plan. So hopefully that gives you some further information in terms of the impacts of the easement. But the easement don't necessarily mean that there's going to be two metres of works hard up to that two metres. And it would be at some time in the future that we would look at the land that we have. But it would be at some time in the future that we would look at the land that we have available to undertake works and also the surrounding infrastructure and surrounding assets in that area. And potentially design an outcome with limited impact. Thank you. Speaker 3: Through the Chair, could I just add to that? Thank you Patrick for that. Just in addition to help support that. So the taking of the easement itself doesn't actually outline when or the types of work Council will take.
00:59:00 I guess the taking of the easement is to provide that. To provide that space that's dedicated there in the future for when Council is ready and prepared to design those works to create greater connectivity through the site. So in terms of the impact on the existing club there, that hasn't necessarily been determined and won't have any current impact on the operation of the bowls club as exists. But potentially in the future when Council's ready to work through a design, there'll be an ability to navigate through those elements in the future. And also just add to obviously the taking of an easement also prevents potentially Council being required to compulsory require or resume the land, which would come at potentially great expense to ratepayers to acquire that land if it was to do future work. So that's why it requires and uses the development process to trigger the need for land to be dedicated. Thank you.
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01:00:00 Councillor Finzel: So through the Chair. This provides opportunity for Council staff to talk to the applicant to look at that to make sure that the bowls club will not be compromised in their opportunities to participate in competitions. Speaker 3: Through the Chair. So yeah, the taking of the easement is not committing that works will be undertaken immediately. What it does do is highlight it and it's obviously been outlined in the planning scheme for many, many years that these any development will trigger the need for a dedication of an easement or the land itself. So Council will work with all of those landowners in the future if there's any particular design being prepared to undertake those works. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Sorry, just a further question on that. When I drove past, it seemed like a lot of the lanes already developed. So in terms of an easement all the way down Diamond Lane, is that actually possible? Speaker 2: Through the Chair.
01:01:00 There is a number of properties where there's already been an actual dedication. So the land to the east where the four Queenslanders were relocated to, there was a dedication there. The site beside it, there's also been land that has been made dedicated. So it has been occurring, its development has been occurring in that area. It is quite a thin laneway. It is. And we're certainly intensifying land uses adjacent to our laneways in terms of residential density. So there's more vehicle movement, more pedestrian movement in those areas. So it's quite an important future outcome. Mayor Wilkie: So we have a motion before us which includes changes in conditions that could improve the extended council operation and change details around the noise. Can we move it? Can we move it? Councillor Stockwell will have a seconder. I'll give a second. Councillor Lorentson.
01:02:00 Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes. Overall, the nature of the proposal and the use is a good small addition to the uses that have been happening there over recent years. They're logical. It's a facility that is well frequented by the local community and well liked. The key issue to be considered is the fact that it is adjacent to residential outputs. And there have been submissions made which raise valid points in regard to the need to be mindful of the operating hours. In this particular case, previous approvals have allowed all car parking to be on street. So we know that quite often the noise nuisance late at night in licensed premises doesn't come from within the side of the building. It comes when people who come to their cars who may have drunk too much. The issue with the easement, diamond lane like ambulance lane is very narrow.
01:03:00 What we are finding is places like to the northeast of this site, they are good to create secondary dwellings at the rear. And that's where a lot of the complications happen if it's not widened. Difficult to get services in. Quite difficult for our rubbish trucks to get down those narrows. So I think it was a 2016-2020 council looked at all this and said yes, what we'll need to do if we want to make best use of that, of these laneways is to progressively widen them. The other option too is if that sort of development doesn't occur, what we addressed in the development to the west was the fact that they also make really good off-street pedestrian cycleways too. So in that particular area, trying to get pedestrians to be able to avoid that, instead of having to go through the main roads is another option. So to me it's a good development and I think the balance that's been struck with the amended conditions get it right.
01:04:00 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Mr Stockwell. The councillors will speak to the motion. Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: I support the amended conditions. They're consistent with the planning scheme. We're still giving some additional hours at the weekend for a later finish. And I think the 7 o'clock start helps the applicant to adjust. They can achieve what they want with their business while also still being mindful of residential and community. And making the outside use of the bowling ring and the playground consistent I think will just be simpler for everyone. Instead of having to shut parts down at different times, I think that's easier for customers to understand and also for the local residents to have an expectation of when outside activity will stop. And presumably past 9pm when it's dark, everyone will head inside anyway. So I think that's a good sensible balance of what the applicant has asked. And also maintaining residential and community. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you Councillor Wilson.
01:05:00 Councillor Williams. Councillor Lorentson: I just want to speak to, basically thank both the applicant and also council planning staff. The applicant has worked really constructively with both council and the community throughout this process. And it seems like there's been really genuine efforts made to listen and respond to feedback and find solutions. That balance both neighbourhood amenity with business viability. Also I want to acknowledge professionalism and support that's been shown by council's planning officers in working with the applicant. To achieve this amended, these amended conditions and the outcome that we're seeing here today. So thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Williams. Councillor Stockwell do you wish to close? No. Okay. We'll do a vote on favour. That is unanimous. Thank you thank you. Thank you. Thank you Richard. Director Rawlings: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Next item 12.2 is the Tourism Noosa Road Map and Development Status Report.
01:06:00 We have, is Kim Rawlings. Director Rawlings: She's online. She's online. Mayor Wilkie: She's online. She's online. Kim Rawlings is the Tourism Partnership and Event Strategy Coordinator. Anthony Dow is. Is he here? No. No. So Kim can you give us a summary of the report? Director Rawlings: Just a moment. Good morning councillors. Apologies I'm not in the room. Yes this report just provides a brief status update of the development of the Tourism Noosa Road Map which council called for at its meeting in May earlier this year alongside the transition 12 month funding agreement. The report just outlines that we have, we are moving quickly and working collaboratively
01:07:00 with Tourism Noosa. We have weekly meetings as a working group to develop this road map. We have commissioned some external independent support to do benchmarking and to present to us some best practice case studies. We have also been working with local authorities from around the world of various approaches to tourism management dealing with the same opportunities and challenges that Noosa is facing. We should receive that information in the next week or two. We have also appointed a part time senior experienced project lead to help manage this process and keep this process going. Give us some feedback. I believe that the time frames are fairly tight to develop the road map by November.
01:08:00 So really the overall report just says things are moving forward, going well and we will keep you updated. Mayor Wilkie: Any questions for Director Lorentson? Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: Just a quick one Kim. So you can confirm that we are on track on meeting the December timeline. Director Rawlings: Yes, Councillor Lorentson, at this stage, yes we are. Absolutely working towards those time frames and are on track. Obviously when we present information to both Council and Tourism Noosa board, we will need to consider what additional information you might need, what questions you have, those sorts of things. So the report does outline in the risks section that there are, you know, some foreseeable risks to the time frame, but at the moment we are on track.
01:09:00 Mayor Wilkie: Someone can move the recommendation noting the report? So moved. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Have a seconder for that? Councillor Wegener. Councillor Stockwell, would you speak to it? No. And councillors would speak to the report for noting all the failure? That's carried. We're going to come to item 12.3, summary report, the Queensland Office Interim Audit Report, and the Director of Corporate Services, Maureen Gale, at the table for this report. Councillor Finzel: I'd like to, for discussion, move the original motion. Mayor Wilkie: Well, traditionally we ask staff to give a summary of the report first. So we'll hold you. As a mover, I'll have the motion, as a mover, then we'll have the report for this morning. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair, I appreciate that.
01:10:00 Mayor Wilkie: Director Gale. Speaker 6: Good morning, councillors. This report that is before you is a summary of the Queensland Audit Office Interim Audit Report. In December 2024, council was the victim of a major fraud incident, perpetrated by an international crime organisation currently under investigation by the Australian Federal Police and Interpol. Due to the sophistication of the tactics employed, and despite council having internal controls and processes in place to mitigate such events, they were not effective in this instance. A crisis incident response team was immediately established once council was alerted to the fraud, and engaged an external, independent ICT expert company, to conduct an investigation into the incident. This investigation confirmed there was no breach of council systems, no personal data was stolen, nor any ratepayer personal information was accessed, and there was no impact on council services.
01:11:00 All relevant processes and operating procedures were reviewed, with additional internal controls implemented immediately, to mitigate and or minimise the risk of any subsequent fraudulent event. The QAO also recommended that the report be reviewed immediately after the incident. In time, Council has implemented further internal controls to mitigate the risk of this type of incident occurring again. Council has substantially implemented these recommendations, and in addition is also in the process of installing a third party software system, to provide an extra layer of security in fraud prevention. Council reported this incident to the relevant authorities including the Queensland Audit Office, relevant ministers and the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, In the statutory reporting timeframes pursuant to underlying regulatory requirements regarding reporting. Council was directed at the time of the incident to not publicly disclose this information related to the incident as to not compromise the ongoing investigation.
01:12:00 As a result, Council has been unable to disclose this to the community until now. The perpetrators used social engineering techniques that were sophisticated, strategic and targeted. To avoid revealing the tactics of the perpetrators and to ensure we meet our legal obligations related to the protection of Council staff, we are unable to provide any further details at this stage. The original amount defrauded from the incident was $2.3 million. Some monies have been recovered from our bank and our current net financial loss is approximately $1.9 million. That is subject to some additional changes whilst we continue to engage with our relevant insurers. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. We have a seconder for the motion. Happy to second. Seconded by Councillor Phillips. Councillor Pencer you have the floor.
01:13:00 Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you. This is a very significant matter. Yeah, I think we open this up to discussion now and questions to the staff to ensure that all the correct requirements have been met and that in order to make sure that our community retains excellence in our governance and to support our trust. I'm happy to support the original motion and open it up for discussion today. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Pencer. Can I ask a question? Councillor Phillips: What was that question? Question please. Thank you and I understand the extra stress that this probably puts on you answering my questions. I do want to highlight that you started in the role in January and so thank you for taking on this and it is very community. I want to know what's going on. My question in relation to the
01:14:00 crisis incident response team. Is there anything you can tell me about that team that was formed by Council when it happened and anything more around that? Have we had a team before and just the experience that you may have in this? Speaker 6: Through the Chair. As part of Council's enterprise risk management framework and also business continuity and disaster response, so policies and processes, whenever an incident like this occurs, whether it be cyber or anything else, there is a requirement for an incident, a crisis incident response team to basically stand up like we would with any crisis incident response team to basically deal with any natural disaster where there is those processes of leaning forward, sitting up and standing up. So when I commenced with Council and became aware of the event that had occurred in the prior year, I stood up that incident crisis response team and cheered that team.
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01:15:00 And the first action that we took was to engage that external ICT forensic company to do that vulnerability testing and penetration testing of our systems. And thankfully, as is noted in the report, it revealed that we had not been compromised in any way whatsoever in terms of accessing our systems proper and data and or in person related information was not breached. I don't know if I answered that. Mayor Wilkie: Any other questions? Councillor Nielsen. Councillor Lorentson: I've got quite a few questions. Does the fraud incident expose underlying systemic issues within our organisation, particularly in relation to culture, internal controls and workforce capability? Speaker 6: Through the Chair, could I seek advice as to whether I answer that in open?
01:16:00 Mayor Wilkie: You can. I understand you've got legal, and moral obligations to not reveal the details of what happened, that would identify the staff who were personally impacted by this very targeted scam. Do you want to see the advice? I can. Yeah. I can clarify, is there any way? Yeah. Speaker 4: Councillor, like I've been saying, I think all week is that we have processes in place and for, to protect our organisation. And the cyber attack process or the process to avoid cyber attack has been shown to be very successful. In this case, that's our systems. In this case, it's the processes that we thought were in place that would protect us from this. This is a very sophisticated attack on our crime, committed on our organisation. And so as soon as we've been made aware of the fact that we are
01:17:00 vulnerable, what we've done is taken steps to improve our processes, change our processes and ensure as best we can that any future attack of this nature is further guarded against. And that's the best, I think the answer that we need to give you in terms of it was a targeted attack against our processes. We've now, once we understood those processes, we're vulnerable. We've sought to change those processes in line with QIO's advice as well. Mayor Wilkie: PEABODY Councillor Wilson: I do but you can go. To the Chair this way, the media is really focused on AI technology as being the cause of this event that's not mentioned in the report and it hasn't been mentioned to councillors before now either. So I'm just wondering where the media got that message from.
01:18:00 Speaker 4: I think in our media statements we have mentioned the fact that it is, AI is such a very broad, in my understanding, such a broad category. It was a social engineering fraud event and crime and our assumption is that AI was part of that social engineering. Because it is, it's sort of, they're intertwined and that's where we've taken that position that it is sort of one and the same if you like. But social engineering and AI tend to be very much linked so that's our understanding of the accounts. Councillor Lorentson: You mentioned that we have engaged some external help. In terms of external consultants, what other external consultants have been engaged to assist with this matter and what is their scope of involvement?
01:19:00 Speaker 6: Through the Chair. Councillor Lorentson, when I referred to in the report around external independent ICT experts to conduct a forensic review of our systems, that happened between January and February of this year. Any other, there has been no other, consultancy services spent specifically on that. We did also though engage a legal firm to assist us with understanding where the issues were. Or if there were any issues with our system and where the vulnerabilities were. And we also actively engaged with our insurers and communicated to them the whole way through. So when, to answer your question specifically around scope of work, specifically related to that fraud event,
01:20:00 we have engaged additional part-time staff to assist us, not specifically around that but to assist us with the preparation of the financial statements and any other related end of financial year processes. But that's not specifically related to the fraud event. Councillor Lorentson: So, my question is really, does Council currently have the necessary capability in-house to manage or respond to this issue and issues like this in future? Speaker 6: Through the Chair. I can confidently say to you Councillor Lorentson and to all the Councillors that the immediate revision of internal processes and procedures and also changes with our workflows, in our current Tech One system, they have been implemented immediately. In addition, as mentioned in the report,
01:21:00 the QAO's recommendations for further internal controls, they have been substantially completed. And as also mentioned in the report, we have literally this week procured that third-party software called EFT Shore. And we have engaged a specialised ICT change manager to assist in the implementation of that project as a matter of urgency before the end of the calendar year. Councillor Phillips: Councillor Phillips. Question please. It'll be to the CEO since just in relation to when you used the statement about identifying process issues. To reassure community moving forward, what will we see as Council around the identified process issues? How will that be presented back to us with the learnings separate to the investigation that police are going through, but more focused on the internal process that is happening?
01:22:00 Speaker 4: Once again, we've got to be very careful about the information. And that's one of the issues that we do have in terms of we are implementing all these new processes. We're not updating our processes, making sure that we believe we need to tighten things up. In terms of bringing that back to Council, more than happy to bring that to Council, but we've got to be careful about again exposing the processes that we've got to future people that may see this as an opportunity to find another way around it. The problem with this stuff is you can never say never. And that's the issue that we've got going forward. In my opinion, with cyber attacks and social engineering and AI, it's just, you know, and you can see it every day, companies are being attacked. We're being attacked every day by various sources.
01:23:00 And it's one of those things that we're putting in places as strong a process as we possibly can for the knowing what we know now. And we'll continue to upgrade and do that. And we'll report that back to Council in terms of, you know, maybe it'll be in a confidential session again to protect our position so that we're not exposing ourselves to would-be perpetrators. A follow-up question to that, probably to Director Gatt. Mayor Wilkie: What likely reports are going to come to the Auditor and Risk Committee, substantive reports to the Auditor and Risk Committee about this? Speaker 6: Yeah, through the Chair. As per normal statutory reporting obligations, whenever there is a report, so whenever we have an interim audit report or even an end of financial year audit report from the QAO, we are obligated to respond to any matters or findings that they put in their report. And there is a section within those reports that says
01:24:00 management update and response is required at the next Auditor and Risk Committee meeting. So our next Auditor and Risk Committee meeting is scheduled, I think, for the 12th of December. So there will be a formal update to the interim audit report and the findings and be quite specific around what it is that we have actually implemented to address that. If I could, through the Chair, just to add some additional information. As of this morning in my conversations with the Deputy Director-General of the QAO, they will be issuing a sector-wide statement tomorrow afternoon. And this is often what they do if they're responding to a situation that is being felt sector-wide. So not just local government, but state government and any other statutory bodies. They have been contacted and other CEOs, statutory bodies, et cetera,
01:25:00 across local government and state have contacted them in relation to this information, now that it's out as a matter of public record. And so the QAO are going to be issuing, it's generally what they call, not an improvement notice, but it's an update to the sector to provide advice and guidance as to what councils and the public sector can do to make sure that their internal controls are robust enough and what pitfalls to look out for. So they are issuing that. It's a sector-wide statement. So for council's information, you may or may not be aware of this. Another one, another council not as recently as eight months ago had exactly this same occurrence happen to them in exactly the same manner that meant that there was a loss. So that was through the social engineering experience that we've experienced. Another very large council with a lot of resources
01:26:00 and a lot of money experienced this same event. Councillor Lorentson: So Mark, can I ask how much was the financial loss? Speaker 6: I don't know. Should you have a council? I don't know. Oh, sorry, through the chair. Sorry, I forgot to stand through this whole thing. I'm so sorry. I don't know that at this point in time, but it would actually be a matter of public record when their annual report is published at the end of the year because it will be in the financial statements at the back. Okay. I would like to move an amendment through the chair. Mayor Wilkie: Sorry, councillor. I have a question. Okay. Councillor Wilson: I've got a few questions on the audit, so they're all related. So QAO, our sources are forwarded to KPMG. They did their audit testing in April. Were they aware of this event at the time that they did their audit? Speaker 6: Thank you, through the chair.
01:27:00 I have an actual... I've got a formal statement from the KPMG who actually do represent the QAO, so they are one in the same. So KPMG conducted their interim audit visit at council in the week commencing the 19th of May. This visit is primarily used by KPMG to understand and document council's financial reporting processes ahead of their year-end audit visit where more detailed sample testing is performed. Through the course of the interim visit, KPMG were made aware by current management at the time, were made aware of the loss event by council staff. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you, Director Gatt. And I'd like to move an amendment following on from comments and discussion around internal controls. Subpart B, be added to the request that the CEO provide regular updates to councillors on the implementation of the Queensland Audit Office recommendations, including the progress and efficacy of the additional internal controls,
01:28:00 and third-party software system. We all take... Second. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. We all take our financial and governance responsibilities very seriously, and these vulnerabilities that were identified have been strengthened by measures recommended by the Queensland Audit Office, additional internal controls and new third-party software. This just ensures that we're in the loop about getting received recommendations on how these things are being implemented, and whether they actually serve the purpose for which they are intended. So by efficacy, I mean the ability to produce a desired or intended result of the new software, of the new controls. And I think it's very important that councillors receive regular updates on this, whether it be publicly or even more frequently. That's to be discussed. But I've discussed this with the CEO. This was always intended, but I think it might be more appropriate
01:29:00 to make it clear that this is what will happen, so we can all remain abreast of these important financial and governance changes. Councillor Trinsnell. Councillor Finzel: Excuse me. Through the Chair, I did have a question prior. Mayor Wilkie: Yes, please. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Oh, sorry. Mayor Wilkie: Is it to do with the amendment? Councillor Finzel: No, because I... Mayor Wilkie: Okay. We've moved on, but we'll come back to your question when we come back to a substantial motion. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair. Councillor Lorentson: A question in relation to the amendment. Is the... And I'll ask the question, probably through acting CFO. Is the amendment redundant? Is this already happening? Will this already happen? CEO already provides updates through existing processes. Is this adding one more report? Yes. Mayor Wilkie: I think it's...
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01:30:00 This is a political decision. I don't want to have a staff be drawn into a council. It is essentially a council related... So I'll just... Councillor Wegener: Councillor, what do you know? These are updates to councils. These are not public information. All right. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson. I won't vote for what's in front of us. I have an amendment that I think possibly catches this probably better. My concern with the amendment is that the CEO actually already provides these updates through existing processes. And given the serious fraud incident of 1.9 million community money, what's really needed is, in my view, an amendment to the CREO.
01:31:00 This would give councillors and the community more confidence that new controls are working. What I see when I read B, and that was presented to us very last minute this morning, is comfort and reassurances. Again, the community don't need just comfort and reassurances. What they need, what they actually deserve, is accountability and transparency. They need to understand what went wrong, how it happened, and what is being done to prevent it from happening again. Again, I won't support this amendment, but I do have an amendment that I'd like to try on the table. Councillor Phillips: I'll just quickly speak to it. I understand the intention behind it. For me, today, I stand with absolute confidence. I put community hat on, and I'm not ready to look forward. I believe that that's probably already happening as part of the progress through this year.
01:32:00 My community hat says I need to know more about identified process issues than what we can transparently tell community about outcomes that have been learnings from how this happened in the first place. And so today, yeah, I'm really not ready to move forward around how we will identify the internal controls and what you're asking for, Mr. Mayor. I'm standing here today, community of feeling very vulnerable about things that they would like to know. And so, yeah, I'd like to hear from the amendment that perhaps may look backwards first. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you very much. Mr ion Hunter. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, I can speak Migratory National SP's for sure. Of course, I'll speak the dispute Drum Wednesday.
01:33:00 Mr visuals some groups with him a colour Tpass 6 AM 1000. еся, some groups withʻs words with his back in cat. Speaker 6: In addition to the committee itself, we have an internal audit plan. So whilst it's called internal audit, it's facilitated by an external audit company by the name of Crow. They also look at operating processes and procedures to see if there are any issues and they make recommendations through to the audit and risk committee that management then must also respond to and give timeframes which they put them in place. And in response to Councillor Lorentson Winston's sort of question, it's probably inappropriate, I'll continue to respond to your question, sorry, that through KPMG and QAO, in particular with the significance of
01:34:00 this event, their end of year audit, which is currently happening right now, they are on site, their sample size of testing and reviewing a whole range of things in terms of testing and reviewing a whole range of things is quite far, wide-reaching and deep. So that is in response to this significant event. So this will not be something that they will not continue to focus on and look at for then the QAO to have confidence that they're actually being able to audit with accurate information. So please have some confidence that through both of those processes and through the audit and risk committee, this will continue. We will have to provide them assurance that we have those internal controls in place and the risk is significantly minimized of it occurring again.
01:35:00 Councillor Lorentson: A question, when did the Audit and Risk Committee last review Council's fraud controls? Councillor Wilson: I agree that this isn't necessary. The only way we would really ever know if the internal controls are working is if we don't get another future event. So, I don't think we necessarily need a report to say things are working, because we only know they are if we don't have another significant event. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. Councillor, then we'll bring it up. Councillor Wegener: You know that all the councillors, because this is directed at the councillors around the table here, you know, we all have invitations to attend the Audit and Risk Committee meetings. You're all invited to read the reports that are there all the time. And so, I'll support
01:36:00 the motion, but it's already, it is a bit redundant. We're already doing that and I encourage everybody that we're asking these questions, we're all looking very closely at this and putting everything under the microscope where we've had years of opportunity to put this under the microscope. So, there's a lot of opportunity for us to work on this. We've worked through the Audit and Risk Committee. We welcome anybody else to join the Audit and Risk Committee and really put your walk the walk instead of talking. There's a lot for councillors to ask at the Audit and Risk Committee meetings. Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. My question to you is the clarification on the amendment. Given we've heard that the Audit and Risk Committee are processing the opportunity for councillors to access this information, is there any way that we can do that? What process are you proposing that the CEO uses to update the councillors on these implementations?
01:37:00 Mayor Wilkie: Well, it's open to discussion, but I think one method would be to have it as a standing item on the Council Discussion Forum, where councillors can forensically interrogate the CEO and the CDFO about the changes, what stage they are up to for their implementation. And whether they're actually working on it. I don't want to wait until we have it forward or not to find out whether something's working on it. Whether the third party software is installed as it's intended to be. Whether it's detecting attempts to breach our security. I want to know that before it even happens. So, that's the opportunity on a regular basis, monthly, at the CDFO. It would be a good opportunity. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'll speak to the amendment. As we mentioned, this is a statement of the process that occurs. But it is in a time where councillors are being asked, have you got your hands on the rudder?
01:38:00 And this just reaffirms a process. The flip side of what's been suggested, that we have to give full information to the community, is a statement that we want to expose that community to greater risk of fraud. So be aware, the sort of suggestions that were made by Councillor Lorentson, about what's expected from the community, we've been told repeatedly, expose us to greater risk. And I want to support that. I will support that we'll be briefed, that we'll keep our eye on the game, and we'll make sure as technology and as scams and criminals evolve, that we'll have sufficient knowledge to be able to empower staff to make the appropriate decisions. Mayor Wilkie: I think that's certainly it. Councillors, those that think this is, hoping to gain comfort from this, have missed the point entirely.
01:39:00 This, it's one thing to say, oh yeah we'll be following up. But to support something that's in black and white in front of you shows your commitment to definitely following up. To making sure you keep your finger on the pulse on the progress of the Audit and Risk, the Queensland Office of Recommendations, are they being implemented. By supporting this amendment you're committing to make sure that happens and to give yourself, avail yourself to every opportunity to attend these sessions and ask the questions that you need to ask on behalf of the community to make sure that these controls are being implemented. It's not a comfort session. If you think you're going to attend these and gain comfort, you've got to be in entirely the wrong frame. No one's comfortable about what happened. No amount of comfort can be given about what's happened. But we can commit here and now to say that we will require the CEO to provide these regular updates and we will attend and follow up on understanding, satisfying ourselves,
01:40:00 whether these Queensland Audit Office of Recommendations are being implemented. Are these additional controls implemented? What stage of implementation are they up to? What does it involve? And the third party software system, where are we at with that? Has it been installed? Is it working? What is it detecting or not? And what else do we need to do to understand what happened and how we can make sure it never happened again? This is a commitment. This is a demonstration of your commitment here and now to attend regular updates to make sure they happen and to attend, be fully present and ask uncomfortable questions and satisfy yourself on behalf of the community that everything's been done, that we can do to minimise the likelihood of this ever happening again.
01:41:00 That's why this is here councillor, not to give you any comfort. I'll put the amendment. Councillor Finzel: I have a question. Mayor Wilkie: So I've closed. Those in favour of the amendment? Councillor Wegener, Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Wilkie. Those against the amendment? Councillor Phillips, Councillor Finzel, Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Wilson. Against. The amendment's lost. We go back to the original motion. Councillor Finzel, you had a question? Councillor Finzel: Through the Chair, thank you for the opportunity. It's irrelevant now. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to move an amendment. That council commits to releasing a publicly accessible follow-up report by the December round of meetings subject to legal and privacy obligations.
01:42:00 The report will address key questions raised by the community and outline findings from the December 2024 fraud incidents, actions taken, including regular updates on the implementation of the Queensland Audit Office recommendations and lessons learnt. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So just there's some visual wording up there. Councillor Lorentson: I'm happy to email that to you to make it easier. Any questions? Questions taken? Lessons learnt? After lessons learnt? Councillor Wilson: I can email it to you. Councillor Lorentson: Yep. I can email it to you. Or I'll just email it to you. Vicky might be quicker and easier.
01:43:00 Sent. Councillor Lorentson: Sent. Sent. Sent. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you.
01:44:00 Including a commitment to provide regular updates on the implementation of the Queensland Audit Office recommendations and lessons learnt. Councillor Finzel: Commitment to provide... Councillor Lorentson: To provide regular updates. To providing regular... Providing regular updates.
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01:45:00 Thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Councillor Soto. According to the amendment, it makes no sense. It's talking about a single report in November and then talking about regular updates. Councillor Lorentson: I'm happy to omit and stick to the original amendment. Thank you. Sorry, Vicky, I agree with that. I'm trying to put too much into that. Okay. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: There's one report and the same regular updates. Yeah. Councillor Wilson: I'm just going to double check. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. Outline Key Findings. Thank you very much. Key Findings Actions subject to legal and privacy obligation.
01:46:00 That's right. And can I add by... So after follow-up report by the December round of meetings. Council commits to releasing. So the amendment should read, Council commits to releasing a publicly accessible follow-up report by the December round of meetings addressing key questions raised by the community and outlining key findings, actions taken and lessons learnt subject to legal and privacy obligations. Mayor Wilkie: Question for Director Gatt. That subject to legal and privacy obligations, does that mean any subsequent report
01:47:00 will not be able to reveal the techniques or the tactics used by the criminal syndicate? To discourage it happening elsewhere? The tactics, techniques and strategies used by the criminals that may identify the staff involved? Is that what legal and privacy obligations will prevent from being included in any subsequent report? Speaker 6: Yes, through the Chair. That would protect our staff, but also exposing us to further vulnerabilities by revealing specific details that fraudsters could take advantage of and expose us further. Mayor Wilkie: So, for example, addressing key questions raised by the community, which is how this happened, that may not be able to be answered by this report in full.
01:48:00 Speaker 6: Through the Chair. That is correct. There will be some information we won't be able to release to protect our staff and to also protect the risk of this fraud occurring again. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Another question. Reading that with the limitations, I think we've already got the report. It's the one we're looking at today. And what you said today, is there likely to be any significant difference by December? And we've already responded. We've already advised on what the response is. I can't see. Is there anything else that's likely to be able to be communicated in December that we haven't communicated now? Noting that the Airborne Risk Committee won't be done in time for it to get onto the agenda for the ordinary meeting. Mayor Wilkie: I'm not going to allow that. It's drawing direct again. Point of order. Okay. A pretty good discussion. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'll just raise it as a point. Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. Yeah. That will be a perfect last word for Council.
01:49:00 We have a... Sorry. The amendment is, Council commenced to release a publicly accessible follow-up report by December round of meetings addressing key questions raised by the community outlining key findings, actions taken, and lessons learned subject to legal and privacy obligations. Can we have a seconder for that please? Councillor Wilson. Councillor Lorentson: Where do I start? In its current form, the report in front of us is simply a noting report. A noting report is simply not enough. Not when $1.9 million of community money has been lost. This is not Council money. It belongs to the people of Noosa, and they deserve it. They deserve more than a summary. We councillors, we were elected by the community, and we are answerable to the community.
01:50:00 They're asking questions, and they expect transparency, accountability, and respect. We can't rebuild trust by withholding information, and we can't restore confidence by asking the public simply to note a loss of this scale. This is not about blame. It's about responsibility. And responsibility means that we must be honest, and we must be open, and we must be willing to lead. Not just internally, but also publicly. The community has a right to know how their money was lost, and what steps are being taken to protect it going forward. Again, this has come last minute as a response to a motion that has been made to an amendment that was put forward from the Mayor earlier this morning. I believe that this amendment also captures the intent of what Mayor Wilkie
01:51:00 was intending in terms of what actions have been taken. And the actions being taken will also be will come out of the QAO recommendations. Simply, unless Council commits to a publicly accessible follow-up report, I cannot admit with conscience support a noting report. We must do better. People at Noosa are watching. They're asking questions. The last time I was on the Noosa Council Facebook notice, I think I read this morning about 157 shares. This isn't a local issue, it's become a national issue. Again, community deserves answers. My question
01:52:00 basically us doing our jobs. Councillor Phillips: Can I speak? Thank you. I believe that I was voted in, even though I've been asked not to talk about my policing experience. I believe a lot of the community voted me in for a few reasons, being a mum, being a local, but also very much around my previous role, 15 years as a police officer. I have a fair bit of experience in investigations. I want to talk about a coronial investigation because at the moment you could log on and look at every Queensland coronial inquest and what comes out of that is a finding from the coroner. What happens during a coronial inquest is they work on chronological order about events to get a recommendation for community about what will happen to avoid that process happening again. Very detailed report excluding legal and privacy
01:53:00 obligations. So every day of the week you could log on and have a look at a coronial inquest. So the hat I put on right now when I look at supporting the amendment before us is actually that something happens, a major incident, a crime occurs and you work backwards from a time of events that led to that. Not to identify somebody to be responsible but often to identify process. That's how we end up with speed reduction on our roads. There could be certain outcomes from a coronial inquest from a road fatality that would give stakeholders involved recommendations, hundreds of recommendations sometimes come out of a coronial inquest. So when I stand here today to give community confidence what I'm
01:54:00 after and what I believe they are after is something similar. For Council to say we have looked at the process, we have identified any shortfalls in that process and the recommendation moving forward we will see in exactly what Councillor Wilson pointed out, we will see possibly no further events occur. So I can't today, yeah, it's very important that the community know that there is a confidence in reviewing everything we do for constant improvement and constantly looking at reassuring our community that, yeah, we've identified things through this process. There's been a very robust investigation internally and this is the recommendation coming out of it. Speaker 1: Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: Similar to
01:55:00 Councillor Phillips, I believe I was elected due to my experience in finance and the promise to make sure that my pay is money is being looked after wisely. And to ask all the right questions. As a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, I will be asking for a deep dive into the crisis incident and the forensic investigation and making sure that we as a committee are aware of the whole process. At the moment, I'm not satisfied that I have all of the information to be able to make too much comment, but I will be asking for that. That information will not be made public, so I do support this amendment that we have a publicly accessible follow-up report. I believe the community deserves accountability and transparency on this matter. And I'm not comfortable with the narrative that's out in the media at the moment that this could be prevented and the fact that we're now saying we're implementing controls and we're responding to the QAO recommendations means that there was a gap and
01:56:00 I totally agree that we don't want a copycat incident, but if our controls are now improved, that shouldn't actually be too much of a risk. It's always a risk and as far as a sophisticated event. But we can't say that it wasn't preventable. It was avoidable and we need to do better and put ratepayers on it. I think that's all I was going to say. Yeah, we do need to be accountable. We do need to be transparent about what's happened here and we can't just say it was AI that's not an activity that we need to be pushing here and we need to find out more about what went wrong and to share what we can do. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: My question again
01:57:00 is about redundancy because I would suspect that the Mayor would be talking about these things and bringing all this information to the public because it's a very hot item we all want to know about and all of the residents. Just a comment from me. I think perhaps there's a little bit of a misspoke when she says we'd imply that if we don't do this we're not doing our jobs. No, we're actually doing our jobs and this is I'll support the motion but by not supporting the motion it doesn't mean we don't do our jobs and it wasn't negligence on the part of staff to not bring a report coming forward because I think that of course there's going to be a lot of discussion of this moving forward. There's a lot of things that we need to know and a lot of making sure that it doesn't happen again and supporting our crime, our ability to deal with this through the audit risk.
01:58:00 So yeah, just a little bit to take it back that we're not doing our jobs unless we're doing our jobs. Unless we support for this because we actually are. We're all trying to do our jobs. Mayor Wilkie: Look, councillors, I would caution against supporting this amendment as it's worded because it commits you to doing something that over promises and will ultimately under deliver and disappoint. You know that you will not be able to reveal certain aspects of this investigation because it will create a copycat. There's the potential for copyright infringement. Copycat crimes, not in this organisation, but other organisations. That's the intent of that. You know you cannot reveal details. This report will not be able to reveal details that will identify the staff who were targeted and are deeply and personally impacted by this and we have a legal and moral obligation to their wellbeing. This gives a false impression that it will be full disclosure when you know it will not be.
01:59:00 It can never be. It says December 1st, 2016. Remember our amendment addressing key questions raised by the community. You know that the answers to those key questions will always be tempered by the Legal and Privacy Obligations Agency. Which is the get out clause at the end of this amendment. This commits us to do, this is the easy way out as far as I'm concerned, committing just to a publicly released report. We won't be able, we've got a publicly released report. We will have a deep dive that's being done, Councillor Wilson is your representative, community's representative on the Audit and Risk Committee, she's going to be asking for a deep dive there. Councillors have an opening occasion to attend as observers to every Audit and Risk Committee. Councillor Phillips referred to an independent process such as a coronial inquiry. Well the Queensland, the Council has had the Queensland Audit Office to conduct independent inquiries and that's their recommendations of what are in the process of being implemented.
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02:00:00 Councillors be very careful about putting out something that gives the impression that it will be full disclosure, gives the impression that it will be a transparent report. When you know that it will be a transparent report. When you know that it will be a transparent report. When you know that it will be a transparent report. I think that's me. Thank you. Time's up. Thank you. Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair. With regards to a question around, I think it clearly says, subject to legal and privacy
02:01:00 obligations. Prior to this position in council, I worked in medical administration. Oftentimes, information and patient reports were requested by the courts. And many a time, I was tasked with the position to prepare those records for court. And there was a lot of information that would talk about legal and privacy that was redacted. So I put my question through to possibly the CEO or I know we've got governance in the room. Can you please provide reassurance that people's legal and privacy obligations will be met and there is capacity through redaction through reports? Speaker 4: Absolutely. And that's the position we're in currently, where we've had to continue to only provide the information that we're legally able to provide. So that would be
02:02:00 the same thing going forward. And we would only be able to give information that legally is available. And again, it's privacy obligations as well as legal. So it's really important that we protect that. And that's how far do you go to protect that. Really, there's plenty of people out there drawing all sorts of conclusions to this. And we need to make sure that we protect our legal obligations and the privacy and the health and welfare of all our staff, not just those particularly involved. But it's affecting everybody. So we've got all sorts of obligations there that we need to bring to the table. So it just needs to be really clear that that's the case. Because people, again, will draw the, look at the front end and not the back end at that stage. So as long as you're comfortable with that, then that's my position. Mayor Wilkie: Just to clarify, Mr. CEO, because of legal and privacy obligations, key questions raised
02:03:00 by the community won't always be out there? Won't be answered? Speaker 4: No. Sorry, through the chair. That's, when I'm reading this, and I'm like everyone else reading this, it came very late, which is fine. But when I look at that key questions, what does that mean? What's the key question? What are the key questions? And I know there's, I mean, you can draw a very broad, broad scope of the questions being asked at the moment on various, on various opportunities that the community has. So, you know, what are those key questions and which ones? Because we're not going to be able to answer them all. So no, no argument there. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, I'll talk to you in a minute. I'll repeat what my question was. And that was, councillors, we get briefings. We know more than what the community knows. We know there's another full audit being completed and that it's going to be something that in the audit
02:04:00 risk committee can be further dissected. We know that because of the limitations on what we can say, that a report in December, it's going to say something very similar to what the report in front of us. To be, to make a motion, which I interpret is to be seeing, to be doing the right thing, rather than to really being honest and saying, yes, we know you'd like to know what's happened. We know you'd like to see, you know, some punitive action. That's not going to occur as well as this motion, because it increases the risk and as was highlighted, it increases the risk, not just to our organisation, but to other organisations. So I think the responsible thing here is to acknowledge what's in the public, is that criminals attacked our organisation and just like bank robbers with guns, they
02:05:00 took a lot of money. And what staff have already put in is that we followed every recommendation to date to try and stop the modern day bank robber getting in again. There's not likely to be anything else that wouldn't come out in the standard way in regard to an audit report that this amendment will achieve. Because the key questions that many in the community, because let's face it, there's 60,000 victims of the crime. It's our residents and our rate payers who are the victims of this crime, not just the organisation. And like I was when I heard that information the first time, a lot of them will probably still be in shock. It does make you angry when criminals take money. You have some claim to it. Everyone gets angry. But the issue we have here as councillors is to say this organisation has
02:06:00 responded to that incident in a professional manner and has adopted the best practice that is available. And I'm happy to say that I know that it's occurred. There may be other tweaking around the edges, but I don't expect that this will result to any significantly different report or response from TAF than what's in front of us today. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Lorentson, would you close? Councillor Finzel: Through the Chair, I have asked a question and I have not had a right to reply to the Mayor Wilkie: motion. I have not had a right to reply to the motion. I have not had a right to reply Councillor Finzel: to the motion. I've asked the question but you've invited the close and I haven't actually spoken to the motion. This is not the motion, this is an amendment. Mayor Wilkie: Well, I haven't spoken to the amendment. I beg your pardon, I wish to speak to the Councillor Finzel: amendment. Yes, I do, thank you. Yes, you have the floor. In response to Councillor Stockwell, we talk about threat and our community being victims of crime. I look at things, is it a threat
02:07:00 or is it an opportunity? People voted me in because I promised transparency and outward facing to my community. We all work together to put together a corporate plan and I have, those who know me, have continually asked to how we engender trust in our community. Right here on this page, for everyone to see, I'll read it out. Open and transparent practices will continue to strengthen communities. We will continue to strengthen communities. Community confidence and trust with council. I think this is not a threat, it is an opportunity to engender trust and with excellence commit to providing outward and transparent information, engagement and community with our residents and rate payers. I see it as an opportunity
02:08:00 to take the lessons learned. And I support continual improvement. This might not be the exact panacea that we are seeking today at the table, but however, I support Councillor Lorentson boldly putting it forward in a short time frame to work towards engendering trust in our community. We've also heard today that we can adhere to legal and privacy obligations, which we have the integrity and the intention to deliver. We have also heard that we can put this information out there with those things redacted. I think it's an opportunity for us councillors elected to represent our community who place their trust in us to sit around this table, and rightly so, as Councillor Brian said. That we do get reports, we do have access to more information. However, I'm prepared to take any opportunity available to actually continue to the best of our ability to provide open and transparent communication for all involved.
02:09:00 This is a very challenging matter that's come before us. I agree with Councillor Lorentson that I think our community deserves more than just a doting. So around the table today, I will support whatever it takes to engender that trust. I think it's important that we have the trust in our community, deliver excellence for our staff, for the wellbeing of all the employees, for our greater community and our councillors. We all here are the codes of conduct, we've all got very strict requirements of us in our roles, and I think I'm prepared to say that we need to support anything in the best things that are available to us. We are constrained by certain regulations and obligations, but I think we can be bold. The Mayor is always asking for bolder leadership.
02:10:00 Well here is an opportunity to be bold, step forward, and at least take a further step towards continuous improvement and meeting all our commitments within our constraints to ensure our community, to the best of their ability, can trust us to leave no stone unturned. But also, making sure that we protect individuals and their rights to privacy and legal obligations. No one at any point is saying we are minimising that. We are trying to look forward to deliver a council that can be respected and trusted in this community. We are Noosa Shire Council, different by nature. We want to work towards continuing that for future generations with a council that we can be proud of. And I will be supporting this amendment, and thank you Councillor Lorentson for raising it today. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Finlayson. Councillor Lorentson.
02:11:00 Councillor Lorentson: A one page report for a $1.9 million loss of community money is just wrong. I googled Noosa Council cyber attack. Just googled it last night. And in 2016, I think it is, September 9, 2016, an article appeared. Nigerian scammers try to hack a Noosa Council email. There is more detail in this article than there is in this one page. And I'm going to quote the article. At the time it was me, Tony Wellington. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Morrison, this is new material. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. Mayor Wilkie: So it doesn't come to the air. Councillor Lorentson: No, no. No worries. Okay. So no worries.
02:12:00 This amendment reflects simply our duty as elected representatives. Councillors, we're not meant to be just observers. We are responsible for governance oversight. That means asking the hard questions, demanding clear answers, and ensuring accountability when public money is lost. A one page noting report does not meet that standard. It does not provide the level of transparency or detail required for proper scrutiny. When $1.9 million of community money is gone, we must do more than acknowledge it. We must explain it. Again, this is not about blame. It's simply about responsibility. And responsibility means leading with integrity and respecting the public's right to know. And it also means fulfilling our role as Councillors, providing governance oversights and protecting
02:13:00 community trust. Without a commitment to a follow-up report, in my opinion, we're failing in our obligations. We can't rebuild trust or demonstrate accountability by withholding information. One page, again, is simply not enough. We must show the community that we are taking this seriously, that we're listening, and that we're prepared to lead with transparency, accountability, and respect. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. I'll put the amendment those in favour. Councillor Phillips, Ms. Wegener, Ms. Higgins. Finzel, Laurence, Wilson. Against? Stockwell and Wilkie. The amendment is carried. It becomes part of the substantive motion to which Councillor Finzel has spoken. You're the only Councillor who spoke to the original motion.
02:14:00 Yes, sir. I'm going to try an amendment of the motion. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm going to try an amendment of the motion. I'm going to try an amendment of the motion. Pat Spicer: Okay. Mayor Wilkie: Another amendment of the motion? Yes. Of the substantive motion, yes. Okay. As the motion as it stands. All right. One moment. I'll just give you a moment. Okay. Thank you. Councillor Wilson: So, Karen and Jess, first and second from the original motion. Which is this. Councillor Lorentson: And then this is the amendment that's just being passed.
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02:15:00 Yes. Councillor Lorentson: So, you'll need to do another amendment. That's what as it stands. Speaker 4: That's right. So, can I see? Can I see? Mayor Wilkie: So Councillor Finzel is the only one who's spoken to a motion. This is now the motion that we're speaking to. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion which was moved by Councillor Finzel and seconded by Councillor Phillips? Councillor Phillips: I will, very quickly. I think as representatives around the table, we can probably also assist with the key questions. So when there was a broad assumption that that would mean there's, you know, many, many questions, there's probably only one or two. And I believe that as representatives around the table, we can probably assist with that when the time comes.
02:16:00 But I will talk about leadership. I wanted to be able to speak off the cuff of it, but I thought I'd better do a quick search on leadership. And this pretty much sums it up perfectly for me. It involves in taking accountability for one's actions and decisions. And this means being responsible for the outcomes of one's decisions, both success and failures. So ownership leads. Leaders must take ownership of their actions. And decisions, ensuring they align with the organisation's goals and values, clear expectations, embracing accountability helps establish clear expectations and fosters transparent communication, cultivating trust, very important part of, I think, you know, community have spoken loud and clear around the nation, probably specifically around local government and every in every layer.
02:17:00 So the only way we can cultivate trust, says by being transparent about actions, leaders build trust with their stakeholders. Fulfilling commitments. Accountability also includes fulfilling commitments, taking responsibility for mistakes, setting clear goals, following through on promises. So in essence, effective leadership is characterised by a strong commitment to accountability, which is crucial for fostering a positive and productive relationship. Speaker 4: I will try and remember, who's C?
02:18:00 Mayor Wilkie: Okay, let's see the, let councillors be required to attend future audit and risk committee meetings. No, councillors be invited. Be invited. Be invited. No, be invited. We're always invited. Okay. Invited. Invited. And request, requested and not, wait, sorry, just request, leave it as a request again. The councillors have noted that they're all. Can future audit and risk committee meetings.
02:19:00 And any briefings? To remain informed on the progress of this matter. Councillor Wilson: On the progress? Mayor Wilkie: Yes, progress of this matter. Okay. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. The councillors requested to attend. Future. Just future, Noosaville? I'll update you in a second. Meetings. So after audit committee meetings, related. Comment related meetings. Related to this.
02:20:00 To this board. Audit and risk committee meetings and related briefings about this board. Related briefings about this board. Related briefings about this board. To remain informed on the progress of this matter. Councils are requested to attend future audit risk committee meetings related. And related briefings.
02:21:00 And related briefings. In the progress of this matter. Okay, we have a seconder. Thank you, Councillor Woodman. Councillors, I'm doing this because if we're just waiting for a report to come to the December round of meetings on this, and we know the key questions the community are asking cannot be addressed by that report, it won't be enough. This signals to the community that we are committed to being informed on the progress of steps taken through formal and yet to be called process,
02:22:00 yet to be called briefings, about this very significant matter. There are opportunities for you to ask the questions you need to get across the specific details of how this occurred, and the steps taken to ensure it will never happen again. Because, partly about the report, we know, due to legal and privacy obligations, it won't be full disclosure. But we have an obligation to ensure that we're fully across what happened. So, this creates that opportunity for Councillors to remain informed, to be present during the Ordinance Committee meetings when this is going to be discussed, and also when the QAO recommendations, the implementation of the QAO recommendations
02:23:00 are going to be discussed as well. So, it's an opportunity for Councillors to remain informed, and make sure that even though the report that's coming to Council, due to legal and privacy obligations, even though that report is coming, we won't be able to, we will have to make sure that we know exactly what happened, and be assured that it won't happen again. This gives you that opportunity. Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: I couldn't respect the intent of this, but I don't think there would ever be any suggestion that Councillors wouldn't attend related briefings about this fraud, and so I think this is probably redundant.
02:24:00 Councillor Wegener and I are the representatives on the Ordinance Committee, we would report that as a general clause anyway, when there are significant matters, and I would also commit to telling Councillors what's on the agenda for the next meeting, and I think this would be important. In terms of ordinary business and the Audit and Risk Committee, we might not have specific items on the agenda that are about this fraud. It will be the ongoing risks looking forward, the ongoing internal controls, so I think this maybe doesn't quite capture what might be on the agenda for those meetings, to ensure Councillors are requested to attend relevant items. So, I kind of feel like just putting this on the fly is maybe not quite getting the outcome that we seek. Mayor Wilkie: So, question to Councillor Wilson. The wording currently that Councillors are requested to attend future Audit and Risk Committee meetings about this fraud, this clause there and related briefings about this fraud,
02:25:00 is not sufficient for you, but Councillors are requested to attend future Audit and Risk Committee meetings at clause about this fraud that pertains to the Audit and Risk Committee meetings. Is that not sufficient? Councillor Wilson: No, because there wouldn't be an Audit and Risk Committee meeting that's on this fraud. While I am going to request a deep dive to the SOMA meeting, I don't know yet if that will be possible. And so, if that was to happen, I would call them there, I would invite Councillors to be present, or to reopen the agenda anyway. And then, once you've taken away the Audit and Risk Committee, and they're saying related briefings about this fraud, it's not related to the Audit and Risk Committee. Then, Councillors would already be with us. I don't know how to feel about this. I'm happy that all Councillors will be opposed to each other. Okay. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor, why don't you start?
02:26:00 Councillor Wegener: The Audit and Risk Committee really covers a very wide range of issues. A broad array of risks. And the event wasn't really brought up in meetings as an active risk. There's lots of other risks. My gosh, it takes a long time to go through those. So, I'd like to suggest that the Audit and Risk Committee is a place where we can look forward towards further future risks. Looking backwards, that's not what the committee is so much about. It's looking forward and driving the Council further. Of course, I'll support the motion. Everybody's invited, as I said, to come to the Audit and Risk Committee's meetings. And I think that maybe when we do talk about this, because this is of special interest, we can make a note, hey, Councillors, this is going to be at this time, because there are long meetings with lots of pre-reading.
02:27:00 Mayor Wilkie: So, the question to you as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and Councillor Wegener, if there is an Audit and Risk Committee meeting with an item related to risk forward, you'll let us know. Councillor Wegener: Yeah, absolutely. Mayor Wilkie: That's the intention. Councillor Wegener: Yeah. And fraud is a big one. I mean, what we're looking through is cybersecurity doubts within Council. And, of course, that's a really big issue. Within the Audit and Risk Committee. And there's a few others as well. And everybody's invited to come and sit through those briefings as well. Speaker 4: Yes. So, just in terms of the cybersecurity, we've seen on the report of last month's meeting or last quarterly meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee that we did have a specific item where we do a deep dive each time on cybersecurity. So, that information is provided into that group.
02:28:00 And then also, every six months, we do a review of our Council's strategic risks as part of the Audit and Risk Committee as well. So, just making everyone aware that it's not glossed over. It is absolutely part of the Audit and Risk Committee on a regular basis. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Phillips: I'll just quickly speak to it. I respect the intention behind the amendment, but I guess for me sitting back and looking at just the last 18 months of meetings where we've seen amendments that are redundant because they're going to happen and seeing them fall, to me it's just, we should probably just move, again, respect the intention, but I've now heard that it already happened. So I'll be voting against it, thanks.
02:29:00 Councillor Finzel: Yeah, for those same reasons, I think, and we've clearly heard from staff that, like, you know, trying to get this on the agenda for further meetings, I think that's correct how I heard that, this might be, you know, finance resolution and things will move forward. We are, as has been discussed around the table, we already have open invitations to attend these meetings and our councillors that are on those committees. Give us that feedback if there's something that needs to be, you know, attention brought to. I think I respect your intent, Mr Mayor, but I do think it is, it is redundant. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: All right, well, I'll close. Thank you, I get the sense of where the, where the meat's going on this one. I'm feeling around the table that councillors feel this is not relevant or important enough,
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02:30:00 that it's redundant. I'm, I still believe that with a matter like this it is important to have a public statement of intent that shows that we are committed to informing ourselves as, as often and as fully as possible on a matter like this. We've committed to implementing these reforms. We're advised to find out how they're tracking. We do, as has been said, we already have invitations to the Audit and Risk Committee, but to the best of my knowledge, no other councillor other than, councillors other than the two already appointed do attend. This was to say if there's an Audit and Risk Committee meeting coming up where the matter relating to fraud is on the table, you'll, you'll do attend to inform yourself. So, but I, I respect the majority rule on this. I, I didn't want today to go by without at least trying these amendments to ensure that
02:31:00 the community knows that we around the table are committed fully to being as informed as possible about what actually happened and make it take never. Every step to assure ourselves that the likelihood of it ever happening again will be completely minimised. Thank you councillors. I'll put it, it's 5.26 final. Maybe. I'll put it to the vote. Those in favour? Councillor Wegener: You know, I don't mind. Mayor Wilkie: No, no, no, I want, I want the councillors to be represented. Councillor Wegener, Councillor Wilkie goes against. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No, you voted for. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Phillips, Councillor Finzel, Councillor Lorentson, Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Wilson. The amendment is lost. We go back to the original motion to which Councillor Finzel and Councillor Phillips have spoken. Councillor Lorentson, do you want to speak? Councillor Lorentson: Um, I'm going to try an amendment.
02:32:00 Another amendment and apologies. Um, this is just as we're discussing around the table. Um, amendment that council. Council. Acknowledges the need to address issues that contributed to the December 2024 fraud incident and commits to undertaking a review of internal processes, workforce capability and resourcing as part of council's response. Okay. Pat Spicer: We'll just get this amendment worded. Mayor Wilkie: Once an amendment is put before we have to deal with it.
02:35:00 Councillor Phillips: We should have that music, you know, when you're on a hold. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Music? Councillor Phillips: Yeah. Sorry. I can't sing, so I'll bring your mic. Speaker 4: I was trying to fill the silence. Brodie, I think your silence took more than 30 seconds. It cuts out. Does it? Mm-hmm. Councillor Phillips: Nicolette, you can sing. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So, just a question. We haven't... Mayor Wilkie: No, we haven't. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So, we've had an amendment moved. We haven't had a second of this yet.
02:36:00 Councillor Phillips: Oh, I haven't seen the finish. Is it finished? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No, it's still complete. Oh, it's still editing, eh? Yes. That's why. Director Rawlings: That's what this... Mayor Wilkie: I thought that was what it was. Is that it? Yeah. We're ready to go. Okay. We have a second for this, please. I'm happy to second. Are you okay? Oh, good point. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: I've just pulled out my notes. So Monday's general meeting we had a look at the CEO report. The CEO report had repeated mentions of resourcing constraints, staff vacancies and competing priorities.
02:37:00 When I read the report, and I think I raised this at Monday's meetings, they weren't just operational sort of issues, to me I read that as signs of teams that are under pressure. It suggested that people stretched and the recruitment and retention might be ongoing challenges in the organisation. CEO report also on Monday saw delays in some of the key corporate areas, financial strategy and workforce planning. Again these are core systems that support good governance and transparency. So again when they stall, when they fall behind, it can point to deep organisational strain. Also discussed at Monday's general meeting, we talked about areas that were undergoing high staff turnover, and our financial department was one of them.
02:38:00 So the amendment I've got in front of us takes in consideration a number of things. The issues that were raised in the CEO report on Monday, and also captured in the 2024 December Ford incident. The incident in my opinion exposed some organisational weaknesses that extend beyond just this one single event. So the amendment again. The other amendment, same purpose, is simply to restore public trust, and to prevent future incidents. So with that objective, I think it's essential that council strengthens internal systems and controls, invests in workforce capability, and ensures adequate resourcing.
02:39:00 So that we don't see. Staff under strain. We need a proactive and transparent review that will help us build a stronger culture of accountability, and continuous improvement across the organisation. Mayor Wilkie: In response to the fraud, wasn't there a review of internal processes, assessment of workforce capability, and resourcing as part of council's response? Can you get a direct message to me, councillor, if you don't mind? Speaker 4: Absolutely. That's exactly what we've reported against. We have reviewed our internal processes. That is the steps that we're taking. We have reviewed our internal processes. We've also applied that to our workforce capability, we've brought in some people to provide extra support in that area, and our resourcing.
02:40:00 And that's certainly the ongoing future of this whole exercise, particularly in this area. But again, across the council there's no question that we've had issues with resourcing, recruiting, in various areas, not in all areas across council, but in specific areas, we talked about that on Monday. But this is something we've already reported. This is part of our report. Part of our media statement is that these are the steps that we've been taking since we were alerted to this crime. Councillor Lorentson: Can I ask that the amendment that I moved earlier, will this information be captured as part of the follow-up report? Speaker 4: Absolutely. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: We're subject to legal and privacy obligations.
02:41:00 Thank you, and I do think it was captured under that amendment, so I'm happy to withdraw the amendment in front of us. Mayor Wilkie: Okay, we'll go back to the original motion to which Councillor Finzel and Phillips have spoken. And this is now stuck out. We've tested three, four amendments. Okay, anyone else wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: I have a duty to act in the public interest, both as a councillor and as a charged accountant. We as councillors are bound by a code of conduct in the Local Government Act, and I as a charged accountant am bound by a code of ethics.
02:42:00 Both of those include a commitment to confidentiality, but at the same time having to disclose information where it's in the public interest. Yesterday, I attended a webinar for charged accountants on ethics and trust, and also encompass government, which began with that acknowledgement that we must always act in the public interest. As I've mentioned before, I'm on the Audit and Risk Committee. I have no doubt that this matter, or the consideration of this matter, will be front and centre for all future meetings. I take my role on the Audit and Risk Committee very seriously, especially with my relevant expertise. And I will continue to make sure that council acts on audit issues and risks raised there. There have been risks raised in the past, and I'm going to have maybe acted quickly enough for various reasons.
02:43:00 The suggestion that councillors would not be taking this matter seriously or treating it as important if they don't attend the Audit and Risk Committee suggests that there's no other way for councillors to find out that information. I don't believe it's necessary for all councillors to attend. And everyone in this committee meeting, because there are plenty of other ways that councillors will remain informed, not just with this report, but also just in general monthly discussions or conversations with the CEO. We can ask for updates and information at any time. I just want to kind of summarise or finish by saying I commit to our community that I will continue to ask for more information on this matter. I also want to understand how this happened and also the actions that followed in that crucial time period following the discovery of this event. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Wilson.
02:44:00 Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: I've got notes all over the place. Where do I start? Just recently at budget time, we all stood in front of a camera. And... ... ... ...we all said pretty much the same thing. That we thanked the community for trusting us, A, with their vote, B, with their voices, and C, with their money. That was a responsibility that we've all taken really seriously. And I think the amendment to allow publicly accessible follow-up report, respects that commitment that we made. I also spoke to a group of nearly 70 Year 7, Year 8 students yesterday. And they asked me lots of questions. And a lot of the questions about the $1.9 million that their mum and dad gave to this Council that was lost.
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02:45:00 They wanted an explanation. $1.9 million of community money is a significant loss. Money that could have gone to roads, parks, libraries, or vital services. We can't treat this with a one-page report. We also can't hide behind confidentiality. The community deserves more than reassurances. They deserve facts. And they deserve transparency. Again, this is not about blame. It's about responsibility. As Councillor Phillips said, it's about owning what happened. Learning from it and making sure it never happens again. Trust is built through honesty. And if we want to restore confidence, we need to be open, accountable, and clear about what failed and how we're responding.
02:46:00 That's our job. That's our duty. And that's what the people of Noosav voted us in. And what they expect from us. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Anybody else wish to speak before Councillor Selye? Finzel closes. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I will speak. I don't think anyone has downplayed the seriousness of this crime. I mentioned earlier that the traditional way of getting those sums of money were holding up banks. It's really important to think about, just because tactics have changed, it doesn't make the relevant bank manager or the clerk that had to hand over the money anywhere accountable for the crimes of unscrupulous people.
02:47:00 Since this incident has occurred and we've found out about it, I can only speak highly of the staff in their response. With the rigour and with the speed to which they sought to address the vulnerabilities and to look at how to strengthen defences. It is easy to stand up here and make political statements. Councillor Lorentson: The point of order, the reference to political statements, I don't think was necessary. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: The hard thing is to balance your desire to speak openly and honestly with the community
02:48:00 and discharging your responsibilities in a way that protects those legal and privacy issues. This is what is at the heart of it. And to me, the decision comes really clearly down to, do we want to disclose information to satisfy the valid questions in the community's mind, or do we want to minimise the risk of letting similar incidents happen in the future? So to me, I can assure the community that we're going to do what we need to do, and It has been a rigorous and professional response that has reviewed all those aspects that Councillor Lorentson put up with that recent withdrawn amendment. It has looked at how we can strengthen our defences to try and significantly reduce the
02:49:00 potential for similar incidents to occur in the future and I know the quality of the Councillors and of the independent professionals on our Audit and Risk Committee and I have faith in that Queensland Audit Committee audit that we've heard is happening now to double check that what we've responded with is the right way. And that's really what we can assure our community, is that this has had a number of levels of auditing and the response is yes, that you've done the right thing to close. Councillor Wegener: I'd like to give my thank you appreciation to Director Gatt, who has worked really hard. This has, to us in the public, it's relatively new.
02:50:00 Behind the scenes, it's been going on for nine months. It's been very, very hard from what I've seen from the staff. So there is a lot of work that's been going on behind the scenes for a long time on this issue. So I will give you my appreciation to the hard work and the importance and the interest or the deep importance you see in this matter and trying to rectify it and going forward from this situation. So thank you very much to all the staff. Mayor Wilkie: And Councillor Whittingham. There's no doubt a significant fraud was committed by the Minister's Council. By International Criminal Games, an External Forensic IT expert has confirmed there is no breach of Council's cybersecurity. Resident details have not been taken or affected.
02:51:00 There's been no impact on the delivery of the intelligence. We know the criminals used sophisticated AI social engineering techniques that were strategic and targeted operational vulnerabilities. The fact that the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police and Interpol were involved is an indicator of the seriousness and magnitude of this crime. Police advise not to reveal specific details of the crime. Police advise not to reveal specific details of the tactics used by the criminals to avoid copycat crimes that may occur elsewhere. The Council takes its financial and governmentist responsibilities very seriously. Every Council around the table does. As do the staff. These vulnerabilities are being strengthened through measures recommended by the Queensland Audit Office. There is additional internal controls and staff plus new third party software reviewing
02:52:00 The other thing we're trying to balance alongside our wish to be fully transparent and disclose as much as we can about the community, as much as we know about this insolvent community, is temperament with our legal and moral obligations to not reveal details that would identify the staff who have been deeply and personally impacted by this incident. The councillors around this table feel uncomfortable or upset by this. Can you imagine how the staff that were targeted feel? And we have obligations to them, psychosocial obligations, legal obligations. This remains an ongoing investigation by the Queensland Police with assistance from the Joint Police and Cybercrime Unit.
02:53:00 The focus has been, and must remain, on addressing these operational vulnerabilities with measures to minimise the chances of this ever happening again. And I will say to the community, I will be supporting this motion, but please, please do not, I hope you have not given the impression by saying we'll do a publicly accessible follow-up report that addresses key questions. They will be able to answer all your questions in that, because of the get-out clause at the end of that statement, which is subject to legal and privacy obligations. It's an unprecedented thing that's happened to us, councillors. We all feel it deeply, and no more than the staff who have been impacted, and I personally would like to apologise to you at this place.
02:54:00 But I'm determined, like every councillor, that this is not going to happen again. I want everyone else around this table, and staff, to ensure that all measures are taken to minimise the likelihood of this ever happening again. I'll be supporting the motion. Councillor Finzel, would you wish to close? Councillor Finzel: Um, thank you for the invitation. I have nothing further to contribute. I think that's all I'm going to say. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. I'll put the motion in your favour. That is unanimous. There is no confidential session. The next ordinary meeting will be a late get-out by 7 o'clock at 24 Boring Parade Boring Point at 5pm on the 20th of November 2025. And I declare the meeting closed at 12.56. Thank you, everybody, for your patience and attendance today.