The Noosa Council general committee meeting of Monday 17 December 2018
In the chair deputy mayor Cr Frank Wilkie with mayor Cr Tony Wellington, Cr Ingrid Jackson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Joe Jurisevic, Cr Frank Pardon. Apology Cr Jess Glasgow. At the press table Margaret Maccoll (Noosa Today), Peter Gardiner (Noosa News). In the gallery Ray Kelly (former councillor), Greg Smith (President Organisation Sunshine Coast Association of Residents), John Hare (President Peregian Beach Community House), Russell Green (consultant), me.
Climate change precedent occupies councillors’ minds
As climate change looms larger, so state and local governments are getting more cautious about where it is possible to build and now council staff have recommended refusal of an application to install a pool at a Sunshine Beach home. The council has a duty of care, which it may be legally liable to uphold, when it comes to approving coastal developments that may be subject to storm surges, erosion and other results of climate change.
Staff said the proposed pool was subject to new Queensland state planning parameters for Noosa’s eastern beaches and the application didn’t comply with the new regulations. It was a long discussion which disconcerted some in the public gallery but it was clear this project was important as it was a precedent for possible council liability. Cr Ingrid Jackson asked for a deferral to the ordinary meeting, saying she was waiting to scrutinise the legal advice and could not make a decision this day. Frustrating for the gallery, perhaps, but giving residents every chance of getting a fair and considered outcome.
Mayor Tony Wellington said although the considerations were serious he thought they could make a decision immediately and support staff who had studied the new modelling. But Cr Joe Jurisevic (who along with Crs Jackson and Frank Wilkie had visited the site) said he supported a deferral for a few days. Cr Brian Stockwell agreed with the Mayor and said there was enough information to proceed now. But that didn’t persuade other councillors and Cr Jackson’s deferral motion was carried 4-2 (with Crs Wellington and Stockwell against). The topic had taken an hour to discuss.
Gambling reform group gains the support of Noosa
The council passed unanimously a proposal from the mayor to join the Alliance for Gambling Reform Group, saying “membership was a logical extension” to council’s successful motion at the local government conference to seek more control over poker machine use. This decision, of course, ultimately rests with a pokie tax dependent state government. Cr Wellington referred to a council in Victoria which is trying to ban use of poker machines and won’t accept grants or contributions from gaming. Cr Frank Pardon said poker machine numbers were increasing and there will be more casinos in Queensland but added that he recognised the social issues. Cr Wellington said membership of the reform group was free but councils could donate. He didn’t say how much Noosa was good for.
Noosa FM gets a new lease (and a new lease of life we hope)
Staff said that Noosa FM community radio had initially contributed $6,000 annually for the lease of their studios at ‘The J’ but this had been increased to $12,000 with $10,500 proposed for 2019. But Cr Pardon said the service is struggling and moved an amendment to change the annual lease to $6000. Cr Wilkie said he believed Noosa FM had made a $31,000 loss last year and he supported the recommendation. Cr Jackson spoke in support saying the station made a valuable contribution to community and council. Cr Pardon said it needed to relocate its antenna to improve coverage and hoped it could attract more commercial sponsors. He added that the station had a new committee and wished them well. The new lease arrangement was passed unanimously.
Live streaming meetings takes council into a new era
Cr Jackson said the council’s initiative to live stream its two key meetings aligned with recent changes to the Local Government Act and provided greater transparency and accountability. She said many people can’t attend meetings and was also pleased the recordings would be archived to provide viewing on demand.
I must admit to doubts about ‘transparency’ as much important business will be carefully controlled by discussion behind closed doors. Every meeting of council at any level should be open to the public and fully minuted. Cr Pardon said he had been an honest councillor since 1997 and was happy to be scrutinised. Well, that’s good. Cr Jurisevic said he welcomed the change but thought it may be challenging to some staff. He made a weak joke about being mocked or mimicked like some Federal politicians. Cr Stockwell made a joke about grandstanding (at least hope it was a joke) and said people in the community need to get engaged (which is true).
Cr Wilkie said he was excited by the development (he’s an actor) and thanked the CEO for his report, adding that the council has a proud history of good governance and this was an innovative step. The mayor favoured the motion and thanked Cr Jackson and CEO Brett de Chastel for his report. Cr Jackson said live streaming would be good for the shire and this big step forward for Noosa Council was passed unanimously.
Road infrastructure management plan sees light of day
A staff member provided a good briefing on the state of the shire’s road infrastructure. He said roads represent $420 million (or 43%) of total assets and $6.9 million (23%) of this year’s capital works program. He said there are 670 km of sealed roads and 177 km of gravel roads under council’s jurisdiction. There are also many related assets including $58 million of under road drainage and lesser amounts for public car parks, kerbs and lighting.
The staff member said road condition is generally good but many signs need replacing. He had assessed the 10 year capital and maintenance costs at $200 million and that he hoped to complete the stormwater report by February. I know that sounds boring but it is in reality one of the biggest and most expensive capital challenges facing the shire. In fact the whole capital program is dragging its feet which points to both staff and budget issues within the council.
Cr Pardon said he understood there’s a lack of resources and he also knew how budgeted funds can be consumed by emergencies leaving gaps elsewhere. Cr Pardon said emerging works make it difficult to frame budgets. I thought he’s letting them off the hook here – if you know your system you know what it will require, rain, hail or shine. The development of an asset management plan was touted as a game changer in this council but instead revealed an enormous scope of works that reveals the need for resources that seem to be beyond the ability of this council to provide.
The continuing saga of the Gum Tree Drive pedestrian bridge
It had taken a couple of hours to get to this and Cr Wilkie, in the chair, apologised to former councillor Ray Kelly for having to hang around dreaming about how efficient it was in the past. A committee meeting had recommended the old vehicle bridge (now closed even to foot traffic, an injunction ignored by many) be replaced by a steel frame bridge. The mayor said a new bridge is part of the 10-year capital plan but he doesn’t agree it should be. He said with some passion that the bridge is a redundant road bridge that is not required because it has no connectivity and reckoned it would cost $350,000.
Steam now surging from the boiler and turning into traction, Cr Wellington said this bridge is not required, it connects nothing, it has no value, it has no safety, it’s bad policy, it’s a dead parrot. (No he didn’t say the parrot bit, but he could have.) He said the priority is wrong and a footpath leading to the school would be a better option. Or an extension to link the Tewantin Parklands. Or, or, or….. Cr Jackson said she wasn’t sure of demand for the bridge’s further use but the council’s transport strategy supports pathways and safe walkways. She said the bridge definitely needs demolishing and understood the mayor’s reasoning but there should be an overall shire plan.
Cr Wilkie then spoke in favour of the motion (is he now leader of the opposition?), saying he understood the mayor’s argument but bridge should be replaced. Cr Jurisevic said there were significant associated costs but we should support the community – a new bridge was a no brainer. Bird watchers and creek walkers would use the bridge. Anyway, the bridge lived to fight another day with a 4-1 vote sending it to the Ordinary Meeting.
Financial performance report – it always looks OK
After the Sunrise Beach village shops have been something of a ghost town for many moons it seems the council is on the cusp of signing a new key tenant, which will gladden the local community. Cr Jurisevic asked about wage costs going over budget and the finance director was dismissive. Stuff happens. We’re looking okay. Councillors unanimously passed the report. There was no mention of last month’s warnings by senior staff of problems with the capital works budget. Why? By this time the media had long gone and I doubt they would be interested in the numbers anyway. I am and as this long meeting closed I left the chambers feeling like my five course meal had been short changed by dessert, coffee and petit fours.
