Before the first item ¶
00:00:00 Mayor Wilkie: We begin by acknowledging that we're meeting on the traditional lands and waters of the Kabi Kabi people. I pay my respects to the Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their recognition of us all as joint custodians in respecting and caring for this beautiful place that we all love and respecting and caring for each other. I note that all councillors are in attendance and that councillors Wegener, councillors Finzel and councillors Wilson are online. We have a couple who are ill and not wanting to spread the love in chambers, which is very good of them. Item 4 is confirmation of the minutes. May I have a mover and a seconder for the minutes of the ordinary meeting? Happy to meet you. Thank you, Councillor Larkson. So I think Councillor Stockwell just... ...shaded you, Councillor Finzel. There are no petitions, there are no presentations, we have no deputations.
1 DECLARATION OF OPENING ¶
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2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ¶
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3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES ¶
00:01:00 We have two submissions for public question time. The first application with two questions is from Mr Andy Taylor. Mr Taylor couldn't be here today, but Councillor Lorentson will read his questions, which will be answered by Shaun Walsh, Director of Infrastructure Services. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: Question 1. With consideration to the previously provided engineer's report, for the gravel road section of Cooroy Mountain Road, does Noosa Council intend to allocate any funds to the repair of the gravel road section of Cooroy Mountain Road in the 2026-2027 year budget? Mayor Wilkie: Here comes Director Walsh. Director Walsh: Thank you, Andy, for the question, read by Councillor Lorentson. Budget submissions for the capital expenditure for the 2026-2027 financial year are currently being prepared, so at this stage it is not possible to determine if capital funding will be allocated to Cooroy Mountain Road in the 2026-2027 financial year.
8 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME ¶
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8.1 ANDY TAYLOR ¶
00:02:00 The engineering report presented is noted, and the request for sealing the remaining section of Cooroy Mountain Road will be considered along with other similar requests on other parts of the unsealed road network. Council maintains approximately 200 kilometres of unsealed roads across the region, and prioritisation for upgrades to gravel roads considers many factors such as vehicle type of volumes, average speeds, crash history, road geometry, road function and road performance. Council also undertakes maintenance in the form of grading, pavement patching, drainage works and vegetation management. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Director Walsh. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: Question 2. Given the confirmed risk as outlined in the provided independent engineer's report for the gravel road section of Cooroy Mountain Road, can Council confirm the current priority ranking of the gravel road section of Cooroy Mountain Road for repair?
00:03:00 Director Walsh: Thank you, Andy, for the question, read by Councillor Lorentson. Council notes the engineer's report and confirms the road has been inspected by experienced engineering officers. There are no immediate defects requiring urgent repair, but it is noted that the road does require all users to drive to conditions consistent with all unsealed roads in the Shire. Council maintains its unsealed road network on a cyclical maintenance program for production and cost efficiencies in accordance with adopted service standards. Requests for upgrade are prioritised, as outlined previously. It is noted that sectional upgrades, as opposed to complete length upgrade, provides a more cost-effective treatment of specific hazards for any future upgrade works. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Director Walsh. The next application with one question is from Mrs Pat Spicer. Mrs Spicer would you like to come to the lectern and read to a question which will be answered by Acting Director of Strategy and Environment, Anita Lakeland. You're welcome, Pat. Pat Spicer: Thank you. Through the Chair. Background information is the media release on 1st of 10th 25, the State Residential Activation Fund for Cooroy Housing Project.
8.2 PAT SPICER ¶
00:04:00 Question. What specific reports, studies or expert advice did Council rely on when Mayor Wilkie announced on the 1st of October 2025 that after 25 units are built at 64 Lake McDonald Drive, the site could support potentially another 60 dwellings across the two remaining lots? Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Acting Director, Anita Lakeland. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 4: Thank you for your question. The reference made in Mayor Wilkie's statement on 1st of October 2025 to the site supporting potentially another 60 dwellings was based on advice provided by Council's expert planning staff. No specific reports or studies were undertaken. In estimating the potential for 60 dwellings, Council's planning staff took into account the Council resolution of 23rd of January 2025.
00:05:00 The resolution requires that any process considering future uses of the remaining two sites must evaluate not only housing options but also open space, cultural heritage, community uses, landscape and amenity and other relevant planning matters. The process will involve community consultation. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Director Lakeland. Traditionally we have a ten minute adjournment here. There's only been three questions but there's been I think five minutes be enough? Yes. Okay, we'll have a five minute adjournment.
00:10:00 Okay, we're back on and it was brought to my attention that we actually seconded, moved and seconded the confirmation of the minutes but we didn't actually vote on it. Those in favour of the minutes? Online? Yes. Thank you, that's carried. Thank you. Right, well now there are no mayoral minutes. We have one notified motion which was included in the agenda. Protecting First Point, Mr Heads, Councillor Councillor Lorentson: Laurison, would you like to move your motion? I will. I'd like to move a recommendation that Council A include a dedicated section for First Point within the proposed surf management plan to recognise its unique significance and ensure its values are formally considered in coastal management and B identify any resourcing or funding requirements and as part of an upcoming
4.1 ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 22 JANUARY 2026 ¶
00:11:00 budget deliberations consider prioritising this work, noting that any action will be subject to funding availability. Thank you, Mayor. May we have a seconder for the motion Mayor Wilkie: please? Happy to take it. Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Councillor Lorentson. First Point, Councillor Lorentson: Noosa Heads is one of Australia's most iconic and internationally recognised surf breaks and an important environmental, recreational and cultural asset for both the local community and visitors. It contributes to the development of a sustainable, sustainable and sustainable environment. It contributes significantly to Noosa's identity, its lifestyle and visitor economy. The surf break, the beach, the dunes and the adjoining foreshore operate as an interconnected coastal system. Sand movement, shoreline condition and coastal works in the area can directly influence wave quality, surf amenity and the health of the surrounding environment. For this reason, management decisions at First Point require careful and coordinated consideration. First
10.1 PROTECTING FIRST POINT, NOOSA HEADS ¶
00:12:00 Point forms part of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, which recognises the area's outstanding global surfing significance and provides an important stewardship and advocacy framework. While World Surfing Reserve designation confirms international recognition, it does not provide legislative or statutory protection. It does not regulate coastal works. It does not regulate sand pumping activities, pipelines, anchoring systems or the like. It does not regulate coastal activities or other interventions that may affect wave quality, sediment dynamics or foreshore condition. As a result, First Point remains vulnerable despite its global status. Community groups, including Saving First Point, have continually raised issues regarding sand pumping and coastal works, noting that Noosa Council has not pumped sand in this area for many years. These concerns reflect strong and enduring community expectations.
00:13:00 That a place of such significance should be afforded more targeted and robust protection. In the absence of new state-led legislative or policy measures, there is a clear need for Council to investigate locally driven planning, coastal management, heritage mechanisms and legal pathways to better safeguard First Point's environmental, cultural and recreational values, including a dedicated survey of the area's environmental, cultural and recreational management plan, which is a key deliverable of the destination management plan, and is a practical, low cost and proportionate first step. It formally recognises the area's significance, improves visibility in Council decision making and provides a coordinated framework to guide future actions without committing Council to immediate capital works. Council is in the final stages of updating its regional coastal process study and model
00:14:00 in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and through grant funding from the National Emergency Management Agency. This critical step will enable Council and the community to have evidence-based and data-driven insight into coastal processes and sand movements along Noosa's coastline over time. Through the process of developing a surf management plan, Council can consider a range of services that are scalable and evidence-based options such as stakeholder engagement or roundtables, monitoring of sand movement and surf break performance, clearer operational triggers for intervention, alignment with existing shoreline or erosion management plans, review of sand management practices and strengthening local planning or regulatory tools and exploring heritage or other recognition mechanisms where appropriate.
00:15:00 All state heritage may represent a credible pathway to formally recognise First Point's importance, including its contribution to Queensland's surfing history and coastal identity. In parallel, strengthened local laws, foreshore specific protections and tailored, safe sand management approaches offer practical tools to guide decision making and regulate activities and preserve the coastal and wave forming processes that underpin First Point's importance. Investigating options, resourcing and funding implications ensures Council can assess these measures in a structured and financially responsible way through the normal budget process. This motion recognises and builds on the Noosa World Surfing Reserve's work and advocacy in protecting Noosa's world-class point breaks from Laguna Bay to North Sunshine Beach. The World Surfing Reserve, with Council, have scoped their surf management plans and
00:16:00 a key action of a destination management plan that provides expertise and guidance to ensure key surf breaks are properly considered. This motion builds on their work-to-date and the strong ongoing advocacy of both Safe First Point and the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, reflecting a collaborative, locally led and evidence-based approach to protecting First Point for current and future generations. I do also want to table and request that it's fully recognised in the motion. Just a quick overview of what makes First Point unique and I do so because it has uniqueness and heritage significance that is probably not well known to everyone in the community. I'll just speak quickly to it before I table. First Point Noosa Heads is internationally recognised as an exceptional right-hand point break
00:17:00 of rare geological and oceanographic quality. Comparable to only a very small number of sites globally, including Malibu, USA, it displays a mechanically consistent and highly refined wave form, ideally suited to longboard surfing, and under optimal swell conditions, high-performance shortboard surfing. It's exceptional in that it has a wide range of features and features that make it a great example of surf quality. The waves' defining characteristics arise from the unique and enduring interaction between the granite headland of Noosa National Park, the curvature of Laguna Bay, long-established sand transport systems, and subtle marine and vegetative stabilisation processes. Together, these natural elements create a clean, peeling-away face of remarkable consistency and aesthetic distinction. These attributes have developed over geological time, and have been used for many, many years.
00:18:00 They are highly representative of the natural environment and are dependent upon dynamic coastal processes that cannot be engineered or authentically replicated elsewhere, contributing to the site's rarity and integrity. First Point possesses outstanding aesthetic value due to the harmonious relationship between landforms, seascape, and coastal dynamics that produce one of the most celebrated surf breaks in the world. It also holds strong social and cultural significance, and has played a central role in the evolution of the coastline. First Point has a long history of Australian longboarding, and remains deeply embedded in Noosa's community identity, intergenerational traditions, and surf culture. It maintains strong and ongoing associations with surfers locally, nationally, and internationally, and contributes materially to the region's tourism economy and global reputation. For these reasons, First Point may reasonably be considered to demonstrate cultural heritage
00:19:00 significance, and may, at the same time, be considered as one of the most important cultural heritage sites in the world. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Mayor Wilkie: Are there any questions for Councillor Lorentson or for staff? Is there any debate on the Notice of Motion? Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Lorentson. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Stockwell. We've been asked to consider is after five years of a strategic planning process that came up with a 10-year plan for destination management that we've been asked to prioritise one action in there and not only prioritise it, a councillor is suggesting how it's going to be formed.
00:20:00 It's going to have a specific section in it. If I was to write a course on how not to do Planning 101, the process in this motion would be a good case study. We already have considered the issues around this in a range of ways. I've read, you can go back to the 70s of every investigation into coastal management down on Main Beach in this area in our local history. And protecting the break has been a key issue. So particularly for example when we look for several years, council looked for several years at an artificial reef and one of the major determinants for that not proceeding was the concern that it would affect the break. If I'm going to work out and be asked to make a decision on priorities for the next budget and priorities for implementing the destination management plan,
00:21:00 I want to make that on an informed basis, not an ad hoc basis. I want to make it so that there's not one council cherry picking one particular action and coming out and saying we should do this and we should do that. Now it doesn't lock us in to budget deliberation but it does lock staff in to assessing this particular approach. If we are serious about this and we're serious about heritage recognition then we should do a serious approach. And that approach has already been recommended to us. We did a heritage review of our places which is feeding into a range of actions including amendments to the planning scheme. But importantly there was a recommendation there that there is a need to actually take further studies including scenic amenity landscape study to identify significant landscape views and vistas across the Shire for potential protection. It specifically mentions the Noosa Head precinct in Appendix J as an area that requires further research and significant assessment.
00:22:00 So we've already got recommendations in front of us to do that heritage analysis. This motion won't affect that. When we want to invest in it, it should come through normal processes, not through a notice of motion. If this is a new initiative and we want to say the surf management plan is one of the things we want to do in the destination management plan then that's a new initiative that we consider during the budget process. We certainly don't want to dictate what a surf management plan is going to include before we've listened to all the stakeholders. And that's what this motion does. It takes out that process of actually engaging people and trying to understand what's important to put in a surf management plan. So for those reasons councillors, we've been asked to adopt a very inefficient mechanism to address an issue of concern to board riders. And that issue is they're concerned that the current state of the sand on the beach is not optimal for the sort of waves that they've enjoyed over recent decades.
00:23:00 It's a very inefficient way of raising it and therefore it's likely to be ineffective in achieving its desired outcome. I've got no problem with having consideration around increasing protections. It suggests that our coastal management framework would not consider the impact on the surf breakage. It's disregarding history. Now we had a previous coastal engineer here who did his postgraduate research on looking at the whole inland area. Not just this area. I think it went on to be a PhD. And he was under the supervision of one of our local surfers, Professor Harvey Leon. So we've got great knowledge. But this should all be going into the melting pot when we make the decision that now's the time to do the surf management plan. And what the next step is in heritage protection. So by doing this by a notice of motion it says we're going to do it with this budget. And one of the reasons for doing it is it's got heritage significance.
00:24:00 Can I remind Councillors that during the review of the 2020 painting scheme in 2019 we had significant input from the Pomona community saying that they really want to see greater heritage protection of their local area. So they've been waiting for six years but this one comes over the top if we agree to this motion. So Councillors, this motion isn't about acknowledging what First Point is to surfing and to our community and to our heritage. It is about trying to jump the queue and I don't want to be part of it. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Nicola Wilson, do you have a question or would you like to speak? Councillor Wilson: Just a question please. Where are we in the process of surfing or developing the surf management plan? I'm assuming that goes to the CEO or Acting Director. Mayor Wilkie: Acting Director. Anita Lakin.
00:25:00 Pat Spicer: Hi, how are you? Speaker 4: Hi, thank you. I don't actually have to take that on notice and come back and give a properly rounded response. That's okay? Councillor Lorentson: I'm happy to step in if that's okay. Councillor Larkin. So firstly I just want to, in response to Councillor Wilson, the Noosa Council and the Noosa World Surfing Reserve have already started the scoping of the surf management plan. At the World Surfing Reserve we actually had a PhD student, Rosie Woods, who helped us scope the surf management plan. I think Tom has a copy of it and he's down at the Gold Coast Conference at the moment. So we're in the beginning stages. In reference to why I make the mention in the recommendation states a- Mayor Wilkie: That'll be rebutting. Oh okay. But you've answered the question. Thank you very much. Thank you councillor. Any other questions from other councillors?
00:26:00 Councillor Finzel: Yes please. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you. This is a question. Speaker 5: I'm not sure who's in the room. Councillor Finzel: Just wondering where we're at with the work regarding the natural vistas and landslides through the heritage work coming off the back of what Councillor Stockwell said about the community engagement for protecting our heritage. Mayor Wilkie: That's correct. That's correct. Is there a director that wants to address that question? Yes. Thank you. Thank you councillors. Thank you. Speaker 5: Thank you. Thank you. So we were asked to review the existing heritage register and the items on that.
00:27:00 It was particularly focused on built heritage. Doing a full audit of the items on the register and looking to see whether any items that were on the register needed to be removed or whether there were additional items to be considered. That piece of work has been done in the background and is preparing for the next stage which includes community consultation. That piece of work absolutely needs to be considered. We've identified both through staff and through when we did the first round of the community engagement the desire to see natural areas considered for heritage significance and particularly in terms of the vistas or areas that might have social significance. So there's an appendix to that that's got a considerable list of areas. Those areas require future investigation. We've also identified areas that might be considered for heritage significance. And that piece of work will take some time.
00:28:00 But the next stage in the heritage register review is the community engagement component in terms of preparing for the planning scheme amendments. That's correct. Speaker 4: We've got workshops scheduled with council next month to start to go through those changes to the proposed planning scheme and also the schedule for how we engage with the community and our amendment process there. Just in terms of scenic amenity more broadly, we have it in our forward planning program to actually look at scenic amenity views and vistas across the whole Shire as well through a potential overlay to the planning scheme which we currently don't have. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. I'd like to propose an amendment. And the amendment reads that item A is to be considered for heritage significance. Item A and B be amended to read include a dedicated section for first point within the proposed surf management plan to recognise its unique significance and ensure its values are formally
00:29:00 considered in coastal management, comma, noting that the surf management plan is one of many actions identified for council consideration under the destination management plan. And B, identify any resourcing or funding requirements and as part of the upcoming budget deliberations. Consider prioritising this work alongside all other actions, noting that any action will be subject to funding availability. I have a seconder for the amendment, please. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Councillors, I do this because I thought that there may be a question about not necessarily the value of including first point in a surf management plan, but a question around the process
00:30:00 and how we get to that point. And I've read the notice of motion. It is very well written and it makes it clear in the body of the notice of motion that it would be, it's one of the actions of the destination management plan. And I inferred from that it would be considered alongside all the other actions of the destination management plan. What this amendment seeks to do is make that clear in the motion itself. And I've done that respectfully because I don't believe it's, it's, I believe it's within the spirit of what's intended of the, on the original notice of motion, but it just helps clarify the process and the, the considerations that all councillors will be part of when we come to look at the destination management plan actions. Councillor Lorentson: And I'll speak to it. I support the amendment and just provides clarity, again, over the intent and spirit of the motion. So I thank Mayor Wilkie for that. Also, I would like to note that, I'll leave it at that.
00:31:00 Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Wilson. Councillor Wilson: Just a question, clarity. Consider, in part B, consider prioritising this work alongside all other actions. What does that mean? Councillor Wilson. Mayor Wilkie: Well, there may be other actions that other councillors would like prioritised. So it's about considering all actions as a priority for this year's budget. Bearing in mind that the DMP, there's the actions, it's a 10 year vision under the DMP and there will be many budgets across which we'll spread many actions. We can't do it all in the one year. Councillor Wilson. So it's intended to highlight the fact that councillors will be weighing up what, what actions they'd like to prioritise in the upcoming budget deliberation.
00:32:00 Councillor Wilson: I don't think that's what it's saying, though, because if you're prioritising something, you're raising it above the others, not alongside. Mayor Wilkie: Are you wishing to, is that a, is that a question or a question? Are you speaking to the amendment now, Councillor Wilson? Would you like to? Councillor Wilson: Well, I'm seeking clarity because I don't think it makes sense. Because if you're prioritising something, then you can't, you can't look at it alongside, which you've already raised it above. Councillor Lorentson: Can I just make a possible amendment? Maybe take the word prioritising out. And just make it, consider this work alongside all other actions, noting that any action will be subject to funding availability if you're happy with that amendment. Mayor Wilkie: I am. Councillor Wilson, will that, will that address the point you're raising? Yes. Okay. Can we? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Councillors in agreement? All councillors have to be happy with it.
00:33:00 Okay. Mayor Wilkie: Are all councillors happy with changing the word, moving the word prioritising? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Councillor Wilson: Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Any other councillors wish to speak to the amendment or raise any questions about the proposed amendment? Councillor Wilson? Councillor Wilson: I'm just going to speak against it. I think if the scoping is still underway for the SIRF management plan, then, then that's the process where this should be raised. It shouldn't need to be a separate notified motion. So if, if the SIRF management plan is still under development, then, then that's the process and why not this request is being included as part of that process. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Any other councillors wish to speak to the amendment? Councillor Phillips: I'll speak to it quickly. Councillor Phillips?
00:34:00 I'm just listening to everyone around the table. So I think for me, it's just really around local government act, council responsibility of councillors. A councillor must represent the current and future interests of residents in a local government area. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Point of order. What's the point of order? We're debating an amendment to a motion that changed things. The talking about general provisions is not talking to the amendment. Mayor Wilkie: I'd like to hear where you're going with this, Councillor Phillips, if you can get to the point, please. Councillor Phillips: Yes, thank you. I am. I just want to read that sentence. I got it right. Um, cause it, it just encompasses, I guess there's lots of talk about notified motions and processes around how things are brought to the table. For me, it's not really about how it's brought to the table. It's just that the community sort of expect us to try and put forward the things that we hear in community. So I will support it. Um, because there, there's obviously a lot of body of work that's gone into it. I did sit on the surf, um, board surfing reserve for that year and it was definitely topical.
00:35:00 Um, they brought in that, um, that young girl from the States and she did a really good, good thorough job on, um, the research. She had a, um, was doing a, a thesis or something on it. And I know that there's a lot of body of work that's been put in a lot of community members that have volunteered their time behind it. And I think that's something that really needs to be acknowledged. It's there's, um, they're not doing it for their own personal gain. Yes, they might get a great surf wave out of it, but I think it really is one of those things that people are passionate about. Um, so yeah, I'll support the motion. Thanks. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Yes. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Thank you to all the councillors who've made comment around the table. Um, I'd just like to raise my, um, concerns around, um, equity and finding balance in process
00:36:00 and bringing policies to the table. Um, you know, I believe across the entire Shire, all our, um, community groups and voices are passionate about their areas and their communities. I do have concerns around the internal process in council. I do understand that it is our role to bring the voices of community to the table but I think we have to be very careful that we've got that balance where there is that equity of voice and you know one voice you know doesn't override the equity throughout the Shire. So I think as we consider this
00:37:00 what's before us today and I do acknowledge Councillor Lorentson for the work and the well-written motion that she's put forward. It's very succinct and very clear and I do support the intent of where that's coming from. My challenge around this will be that how we follow a process that provides equity and fairness around the table. That's all I want to say about that. Thanks for listening. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Councillor Finzel. Councillor Phillips: Can I ask a question? Mayor Wilkie: Yes. Councillor Phillips: Is there at any point can we come into your office and talk about situations that are raised or community concerns and come through this process and it's sort of a very open way of bringing topical matters to this table? Speaker 2: Certainly. That's the process is to come to me. I authorise whether these come to notice of motion I sign off on whether they come to this table and that is the process so Councillor Lorentson did do that, came to me, we talked this through and it comes then to the table for debate and decisions so that's how it works.
00:38:00 It is a way, our notice of motion is a way of bringing things to a higher I guess profile if you like in terms of making business decisions. So it's really, notice of motion is just a method in my opinion to bring something to the fore with a little bit higher sort of profile if you like but we do also need to be careful that we do, as Councillor Finzel said, the equity side of things is important as well and that's why you're debating it today as well.
00:39:00 As I understand it. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Question to the CEO. So there's a lot of discussion at the moment about process and equity. Can you explain the destination management plan that's been ratified and prioritised action was the surf management plan. Is that not equity and process? Mayor Wilkie: I'm not going to allow that question. I'm not going to allow that question Councillor Lorentson. He's drawing our attention. Councillor Lorentson: Can you explain in terms of hierarchy and process how the destination management plan sits in terms of actions for this council? Speaker 2: So certainly. So the destination management plan has a range of actions that have been put forward and it's
00:40:00 now up to our budgeting process and our council debate process to see whether or not we're able to decide which ones of those are prioritised in the different forms. So that to me is, that's the process that we've got in play. So there is a range and yes, you're right, the surfing management plan is one of those on the action list. It's a matter of where it fits and that's for council debate going forward in terms of how we action it. Councillor Lorentson: In terms of the surf management plan, there was a question that was asked in the previous Deputy Mayor Stockwell: session. The question should relate to the way that you've amended the motion, not the motion in substance. Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell, you're quite correct. Councillor Lorentson, could you hold that question for when we deal with the substantive
00:41:00 motion? Councillor Lorentson: It relates to just something that was raised and I don't believe a correct answer was given to the question in terms of the scoping of the surf management plan. Mayor Wilkie: But Councillor Stockwell is quite correct. We're only talking about the amendment to your motion, but please, if you could save that for when we go back to the original motion. Sure. Okay. So Councillor Finzel, do you have your hand up? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Thank you, Mr Chair. Through the Chair to the CEO. Just seeking clarification on his response to the previous question. In terms of notice of motion, and yes, rightly stated, we do have that mechanism to pull on as a councillor. Some time back through council, we talked about staff capabilities and capacity in terms of funding and finances with regards to bringing the- Mayor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel, I will need to pull you up there. We're talking about broader organisation capacity now. We're talking about the amendment before us is very specific.
00:42:00 And it relates- Councillor Finzel: I have a basic question, Mr Chair. Mayor Wilkie: Okay. What is the basic question as long as it relates to this amendment? Councillor Finzel: Does the CEO prefer that we bring notice of motion as the priority process to be used? Councillor Lorentson: Point of order. Point of order through the Chair. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: I'm asking an opinion. Thank you. I think that question's been answered, Councillor Finzel. We'll go to the vote on the amendment. Everyone has spoken to it except for Councillor Wegener. I don't know, Councillor Wegener, do you wish to speak to it? If not, we'll- No. I'm not going to close on it. Okay. We'll put it to the vote. Those in favour? That's Councillor Phillips, Lorentson and Wilkie. Those against? Yes. Councillor Stockwell? Speaker 1: No. I voted yes for it. Mayor Wilkie: Pardon? Speaker 1: I voted yes.
00:43:00 Mayor Wilkie: Oh, sorry. Beg your pardon. So, four is Councillor Wilkie, Phillips, Lorentson and Wegener. Those against? Yes. Councillor Stockwell? Yes. No. Wilson and Finzel. Councillor Finzel, you said yes, no. You mean no. Speaker 1: Yes? Mayor Wilkie: I said no. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Mr Chair. A hundred against. Mayor Wilkie: A hundred against. Okay. I said yes to against. Okay. Thank you, Councillor Wilson. All right. So, the amendment is carried. It becomes now the substantive motion. And only Councillor Lorentson and Stockwell have spoken to the original motion. Any other Councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Lorentson, do you wish to close? Councillor Lorentson: I will. Firstly, because this motion means quite a lot to me. I'm going to start with respectful debate.
00:44:00 And... Mayor Wilkie: That's my role, Councillor. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. An argument was put forward by a Councillor and reference was made to Planning 101. Inefficient. I'm throwing all these words down. Inefficient. Mechanism. We're doing this for board riders. I think we really need to think about our words in our debate. I went through our Director of Planning, Kim Rawlings. It was her recommendation that this... Your question is true. It was her recommendation that this body of work be absorbed in the Serve Management Plan, which has already been scoped. She liked the direction of the notice that was made. And her feedback was that we included, as a dedicated section on First Point, understanding how important culturally, environmentally and socially First Point is, not just to board
00:45:00 riders, but it's a community asset and how important it is for our community. So I really wanted to make that clear, that it was the Director of Planning and her staff who reviewed the notice of motion and provided feedback. And she responded with me with excellent feedback as a step forward. First Point is more than just a serve break. And it's more than just a serve break for residents in the community. It's a place of connection. It's a place of history. It's a place of belonging. It's shaped our community, our culture, and for many of us, our lives. Over the last eight months, I've walked this journey with three members of my staff. Three incredible watermen. Average age, and I'm sorry guys, I'm just going to guess, probably about 75 to 80. Their names, Ray Johnson, Paul Beaver, and Kim DeMarco from SAFE First Point.
00:46:00 I've listened to their stories, I've listened to their knowledge, and I've listened to their passion. And as someone who has served First Point personally for the past 15 years, I can say from the heart. It's spiritual. It's grounding. And it's a place that teaches patience, respect, and stewardship. Including First Point as part of the Serve Management Plan ensures its values are formally recognised in council decision making. It was a step recommended by our Director of Planning and Strategic Planning, Kim Rawlings. It's not an onerous commitment. Rather, it's a commitment to the community. It's a practical first step in a direction that may provide enduring protections for this extraordinary place. I think what we've heard today around this table is that First Point means different
00:47:00 things to different people, and to councillors. For visitors, it's an internationally recognised serve destination. A drawcard for tourism. For our locals, it's not a tourist attraction. Again, it's not a tourist attraction. It's a place of belonging, of daily ritual, of connection to our community and to each other. It's a place where I have healed and celebrated. And to our future generations, to my kids and their kids' kids, it's a piece of our heritage, a thread in the DNA of Noosa, and that's something that needs to survive all of us. This motion, again, is our first step, and I hope everyone here will support this motion because it's important to the whole of our community, and it's also a responsibility. It's a legacy that we can leave for those who come after us.
00:48:00 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. I'll put the motion. Those in favour? That's Councillor Phillips, Lorentson and Wilkie. Online? Is there anyone online? Okay. Against? Councillor Stockwell? Councillor Wilson: Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Wilson? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Finzel? Councillor Wegener? Which way are you going? Yes. Speaker 3: I'm supporting the motion, the notified motion. Okay. I'm supporting that. Mayor Wilkie: So, we'll do that again just for clarity. Those in favour? It's Councillor Phillips, Lorentson and Wilkie and Wegener. Those against? No. Okay. Stockwell? Yes. Finzel and Wilson. The motion is carried. That brings us to the next item. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Just before we do, I have a question on notice. Yes. There were statements made in the summary that was a recommendation of the Director, Kim Rawlings, who's not here to either correct that or agree with it.
00:49:00 Can I have that on notice, please, to be answered? Sure. Mayor Wilkie: Yeah. Speaker 4: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: All right. Consideration of Committee Reports. 11.1.1 is the Planning and Environment Committee Recommendations, dated 10th of February, 2026. First item is Commercial Use of Community Land, Policy Amendments and Upcoming Tender Process. Councillor Lorentson, do you have a conflict of interest you'd like to declare? Councillor Lorentson: I do. Thank you. Do I have it up here? In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act, 2009, I inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest for item 11.1.1, Commercial Use of Community Land, Policy Amendments and Upcoming Tender Process on this agenda, as I take weekly certain lessons with Josh Hunstable as an applicant in the upcoming Commercial High Use Tender Process, and as my children have previously worked over 16 to 18 months ago,
11 CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ¶
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11.1 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 10 FEBRUARY 2026 ¶
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11.1.1 Commercial Use of Community Land Policy Amendments and Upcoming Tender Process ¶
00:50:00 for Dean Brady, who I believe is also an applicant for the upcoming Commercial High Use Tender Process. And my children are also members of the New Support Writers Club Association, where they are coached by Dean Brady. I request to stay in the meeting as the report... I request to stay in the meeting as the report in front of us. It is a policy document, not a tender document. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Councillor Stauffer? Yes. Councillor Stauffer? Mayor Wilkie: We have a seconder for that please. Councillor Phillips: Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: That's where you've seconded Councillor Stockwell's motion that Councillor Lorentson be allowed to stay in the room for the reasons given.
00:51:00 Anyone wish to speak to the motion? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: That normal bit at the end about that a normal person would not be safe, we could see if she would make an impartial decision in the public interest. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: In the public interest as we normally put in there in some forms. Mayor Wilkie: OK. That's all I see. Is everyone okay? Councillor Finzel: Yes. In the public interest, staff on this call that notes, would you all please stand by.
00:52:00 Mayor Wilkie: 就 20017 C'S districts are currently open for public establishment. Can you speak closer to the microphone, Tom? You're very faint. I think that was a yes. Thank you. Thank you. That's carried. We'll now come to the item itself, commercial use of community land policy and amendments and upcoming tender process. We have a mover and seconder for that. I happen to move. Councillor Wilson: I have a second. Mayor Wilkie: And seconder, Councillor Phillips. All in favour? Councillor Wilson: Yes. Councillor Finzel: Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Is that a yes, Tom? Yes. Oh, great. We can hear you now. Thank you. 11.1.2, application for other change to development approval for Bounce Hotel Hostel Food and Drink Outlet at 1416 Mary Street, Noosaville. 11.1.3 was referred to the General Committee. 11.1.4, planning applications decided by delegated authority December 2025.
11.1.2 MCU18/0102.03 - APPLICATION FOR OTHER CHANGE TO DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR BOUNCE HOSTEL, FOOD & DRINK OUTLET AT 14-16 MARY ST, NOOSAVILLE ¶
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11.1.3 MCU25/0118 - APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR MULITIPLE DWELLING - AFFORDABLE RENTAL PREMISES (25 x SMALL DWELLINGS) AT 64 LAKE MACDONALD DRIVE, COOROY ¶
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11.1.4 PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – DECEMBER 2025 ¶
00:53:00 11.1.5, multi-year, environment collaboration grants and organisational alliance grants proposed reschedule. 11.1.6, cascading climate risks from critical infrastructure, failure project report. 11.1.7 is the Planning and Environment Committee recommendations on block. May I have a mover and seconder that these recommendations be moved? Happy to. Moved and second. Moved and seconded Councillor Finzel, moved Councillor Lorentson. All in favour? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, that's carried. 11.2, services and organisation committee recommendations dated 10th February. 11.2.1, Noosa Shire Council Annual Report. 11.2.2, Council Remuneration Update. 11.2.3, Sourcing Recommendation DRFA.
11.1.5 MULTI-YEAR ENVIRONMENT COLLABORATION GRANTS AND ORGANISATIONAL ALLIANCE GRANTS PROPOSED RESCHEDULE ¶
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11.1.6 CASCADING CLIMATE RISKS FROM CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE PROJECT REPORT ¶
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11.1.7 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMENDATIONS ENBLOC ¶
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11.2 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 10 FEBRUARY 2026 ¶
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11.2.1 NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - 2025 ¶
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11.2.2 COUNCILLOR REMUNERATION UPDATE ¶
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11.2.3 SOURCING RECOMMENDATION: DRFA 2025 - RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT PROCUREMENT STRATEGY ¶
00:54:00 That's Disaster Funding, Reconstruction Authority Funding, Reconstruction Project Procurement Strategy. 11.2.4, Capital Program 2526, Delivery Status Report. 11.2.5, Composting Expression of Interest, EOI, Outcome and Recommendation to Commence Early Contractor Involvement. 11.2.6, Services and Organisation Committee Recommendations on Block. We have a mover and a seconder for that. Councillor Phillips, moved. Councillor Wilson: Moved. I'll second. Mayor Wilkie: Seconded Councillor Wilson. That's JP and Councillor Wilson. Councillor Phillips, moved. All in favour? Speaker 3: Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Carried unanimously. General Committee Recommendations. Application 11.3.1, Application for a Material Change of Use for Multiple Dwellings and
11.2.4 CAPITAL PROGRAM 2025 - 2026 DELIVERY STATUS REPORT ¶
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11.2.5 CN24799 COMPOSTING EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) OUTCOME AND RECOMMENDATION TO COMMENCE EARLY CONTRACTOR INVOLVEMENT (ECI) ¶
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11.2.6 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ENBLOC ¶
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11.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 16 FEBRUARY 2026 ¶
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11.3.1 MCU25/0118 - APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR MULITIPLE DWELLING - AFFORDABLE RENTAL PREMISES (25 x SMALL DWELLINGS) AT 64 LAKE MACDONALD DRIVE, COOROY (referred from Planning and Environment Committee dated 10 February 2026 - Item 7.3) ¶
00:55:00 Affordable Rental Premises, 25 Small Dwellings at 64 Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, which was referred from the Planning and Environment Committee. 11.3.2, Financial Performance Report, January 2026. 11.3.3, Budget Review 2, 2026. 11.3.4, Operational Plan 2025-2026. Quarterly 2, Quarterly Reporting. 11.3.5, Proposed Motions for Submission to ALGA National General Assembly. 2026. 11.3.6, Major Event Funding Approvals. 11.3.7, General Committee Recommendations on Block. May I have a mover and a seconder for the General Committee Recommendations to be adopted. Accepted. That being a move. Second. Moved. Councillor Finzel. Seconded Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? Councillor Wilson: Yes. Yes. Mayor Wilkie: That's unanimous. We have one report direct to the ordinary meeting which is for a contract number CN25253 Sunshine Creek Landslide.
11.3.2 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT - JANUARY 2026 ¶
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11.3.3 BUDGET REVIEW 2 - 2026 ¶
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11.3.4 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2025-2026 Q2 QUARTERLY REPORTING ¶
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11.3.5 PROPOSED MOTIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO ALGA NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2026 ¶
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11.3.6 MAJOR EVENT FUNDING APPROVALS ¶
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11.3.7 GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMENDATIONS ENBLOC ¶
00:56:00 This being a confidential report, we will go straight into confidential session of the agenda. So, I'd like to move that the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to section 254J of the Local Government Regulation 2012 for the purpose of discussing a contract. Proposed to be made by Council and in particular, the potential commercial negotiations in relation to that contract for item 13.1, contract number CN25253 Sunshine Creek Landslide. May I have a seconder for that please? Speaker 4: I'll give it a second. Mayor Wilkie: I'll give it a second. Seconded Councillor Phillips. All in favour? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Director Walsh: Yes. Councillor Finzel: That's unanimous. Mayor Wilkie: We ask that the meeting be adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.
12 ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS ¶
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13 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION ¶
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13.1 CONFIDENTIAL - NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - CONTRACT NUMBER CN25253 SUNSHINE CREEK LANDSLIDE ¶
01:21:00 Thank you. Thank you. Right, welcome back everyone. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, I'm happy to move the recommendation. Mayor Wilkie: I'll give it a second. Seconded move, Councillor Stockwell. Seconded, Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Stockwell used to speak about the tenement. Any other councillors wish to speak about the motion? Put the motion as a favour. Speaker 1: Yes. Yes. Mayor Wilkie: Yes. That's unanimous. Yes. And that's the last item. Thank you.
15 MEETING CLOSURE ¶
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