Ordinary Meeting

To meet its monthly reporting obligations under Section 204 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (the Regulation), a monthly financial report is provided to Council for its information.

This report complies with Section 204 of the Regulation and presents Council's financial performance to 30 June 2026 against the Revised Budget for the 2025/26 financial year, as adopted by Council on 19 February 2026. The Revised Budget was subsequently included in, and reconfirmed through, the 2026/27 Budget adoption at the Special Meeting held on 23 June 2026.

At 30 June 2026, Council's interim financial year results show an unfavourable Net Result variance to budget of $10.9 million, comprising a $4.6 million favourable operating result variance and an unfavourable $15.5 million variance from Council's capital funding sources. The unfavourable Net Result variance largely reflects the timing of capital grant receipts and capital project accounting treatments, partially offset by higher than anticipated interest payments and operating grants and subsidies.

These interim 2025/26 financial year results are still subject to year-end financial adjustments with a further report on final 2025/26 financial performance to be provided to Council in November 2026 following the finalisation and independent audit of the financial statements in October 2026.

At 30 June 2026, capital expenditure remains below budget, with variances primarily attributable to project timing, completion of the disaster recovery program and the review and reclassification of work-in-progress balances.

Rates and utility charge arrears continue to track within historical norms following the expected postlevy cycle.

At 30 June 2026, the key drivers of Council's interim financial position are lower than anticipated capital revenues, higher-than-anticipated operating revenues and the timing of delivery of the capital works program. Based on information currently available, no additional financial risks have been identified that are expected to materially impact Council's final 2025/26 financial result.

Due to the net impact of timing variations in the delivery of the 2025/26 Capital Works Program, together with changes in cash balances and cash flow movements during the year, Council has achieved a stronger-than-anticipated cash position at 30 June 2026. As a result, Council-approved 2025/26 loan borrowings of $3.1 million were not drawn down.

To meet its monthly reporting obligations under Section 204 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (the Regulation), a monthly financial report is provided to Council for its information.

This report complies with Section 204 of the Regulation and presents Council's financial performance to 30 June 2026 against the Revised Budget for the 2025/26 financial year, as adopted by Council on 19 February 2026. The Revised Budget was subsequently included in, and reconfirmed through, the 2026/27 Budget adoption at the Special Meeting held on 23 June 2026.

At 30 June 2026, Council's interim financial year results show an unfavourable Net Result variance to budget of $10.9 million, comprising a $4.6 million favourable operating result variance and an unfavourable $15.5 million variance from Council's capital funding sources. The unfavourable Net Result variance largely reflects the timing of capital grant receipts and capital project accounting treatments, partially offset by higher than anticipated interest payments and operating grants and subsidies.

These interim 2025/26 financial year results are still subject to year-end financial adjustments with a further report on final 2025/26 financial performance to be provided to Council in November 2026 following the finalisation and independent audit of the financial statements in October 2026.

At 30 June 2026, capital expenditure remains below budget, with variances primarily attributable to project timing, completion of the disaster recovery program and the review and reclassification of work-in-progress balances.

Rates and utility charge arrears continue to track within historical norms following the expected postlevy cycle.

At 30 June 2026, the key drivers of Council's interim financial position are lower than anticipated capital revenues, higher-than-anticipated operating revenues and the timing of delivery of the capital works program. Based on information currently available, no additional financial risks have been identified that are expected to materially impact Council's final 2025/26 financial result.

Due to the net impact of timing variations in the delivery of the 2025/26 Capital Works Program, together with changes in cash balances and cash flow movements during the year, Council has achieved a stronger-than-anticipated cash position at 30 June 2026. As a result, Council-approved 2025/26 loan borrowings of $3.1 million were not drawn down.

This report provides an overview and update on the proposed Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)

recreational boating facility adjacent to Doonella Bridge, Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin. It responds to

MSQ's Queensland Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2022 – Noosa

Shire January 2023, as well as subsequent versions released by MSQ.

This initial study was considered by Council at its meeting in June 2023 where Council resolved to welcome the start of the planning process with MSQ to upgrade facilities at Hilton Esplanade (at Doonella Bridge, Tewantin), however, raised concerns for the unrealistic increase in car and trailer carparking capacity indicated in the Study due to traffic, landscape and environmental impact.

Following the release of the Study and announcement of a Government Election Commitment of $2.5million to fund recreational boating facilities on the Noosa River, MSQ has proactively engaged with Council officers to further consider the design of the Hilton Esplanade facility (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin).

Discussions with MSQ officers have been collaborative and constructive, but a design that rectifies previously stated concerns as per Council's June 2023 resolution has not yet been resolved.

It is noted that MSQ has yet to undertake a community engagement program in regard to any specific design for the Hilton Esplanade (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin) facility, which would also ideally inform any formal Council determination concerning the facility.

In terms of internal Council officer assessment of draft designs by MSQ, the following design parameters ideally require further consideration:

a.

provision for periodic large commercial vessel launch and retrieval under shared use design arrangement.

b.

inclusion of facilities and parking for both powered boats and unpowered craft at the site including provision of an accessible, all abilities launching facility.

c.

sufficient setback from the Doonella Bridge to preserve integrity of future traffic lanes for future upgrade work and any replacement, as well as for improved riparian foreshore and amenity outcomes for Lake Doonella mouth.

d.

exclusion of boat trailer traffic from Hilton Esplanade with a dedicated entry and exit from Hilton Terrace for the facility.

e.

provision for the shared pathway through and adjacent to the site which is part of the TMRendorsed high priority regional route for pedestrians and cyclists.

f.

consideration of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) to ensure safety for users and reduction of site crimes such as vandalism.

g.

resolution of environmental and climate change impacts including hydrological impact of any filling in the Noosa River and Lake Doonella mouth, habitat loss from marine plant removals, sediment flows and impacts of frequent tidal inundation.

h.

suitable living foreshore riparian buffer to facilitate erosion resilience, improved water quality, biodiversity and natural amenity along the extent of the interface with the River.

i.

consideration of amenity, recreation and landscaping presentation befitting a key entry area into Noosa and in line with the Noosa Design Principles.

j.

consideration of infrastructure matters such as water, electrical, lighting and drainage services.

It is also noted that provision of a new facility and/or upgrades to existing onshore boat ramp or allied recreational boating facilities including all ability launching are currently not included in Council's forward planning capital works program. It is recommended that Council seek clarity on funding arrangements with MSQ for both on-water and on-shore components of the project including lifecycle costs associated with maintenance of the facility.

This report provides an overview and update on the proposed Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)

recreational boating facility adjacent to Doonella Bridge, Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin. It responds to

MSQ's Queensland Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2022 – Noosa

Shire January 2023, as well as subsequent versions released by MSQ.

This initial study was considered by Council at its meeting in June 2023 where Council resolved to welcome the start of the planning process with MSQ to upgrade facilities at Hilton Esplanade (at Doonella Bridge, Tewantin), however, raised concerns for the unrealistic increase in car and trailer carparking capacity indicated in the Study due to traffic, landscape and environmental impact.

Following the release of the Study and announcement of a Government Election Commitment of $2.5million to fund recreational boating facilities on the Noosa River, MSQ has proactively engaged with Council officers to further consider the design of the Hilton Esplanade facility (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin).

Discussions with MSQ officers have been collaborative and constructive, but a design that rectifies previously stated concerns as per Council's June 2023 resolution has not yet been resolved.

It is noted that MSQ has yet to undertake a community engagement program in regard to any specific design for the Hilton Esplanade (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin) facility, which would also ideally inform any formal Council determination concerning the facility.

In terms of internal Council officer assessment of draft designs by MSQ, the following design parameters ideally require further consideration:

a.

provision for periodic large commercial vessel launch and retrieval under shared use design arrangement.

b.

inclusion of facilities and parking for both powered boats and unpowered craft at the site including provision of an accessible, all abilities launching facility.

c.

sufficient setback from the Doonella Bridge to preserve integrity of future traffic lanes for future upgrade work and any replacement, as well as for improved riparian foreshore and amenity outcomes for Lake Doonella mouth.

d.

exclusion of boat trailer traffic from Hilton Esplanade with a dedicated entry and exit from Hilton Terrace for the facility.

e.

provision for the shared pathway through and adjacent to the site which is part of the TMRendorsed high priority regional route for pedestrians and cyclists.

f.

consideration of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) to ensure safety for users and reduction of site crimes such as vandalism.

g.

resolution of environmental and climate change impacts including hydrological impact of any filling in the Noosa River and Lake Doonella mouth, habitat loss from marine plant removals, sediment flows and impacts of frequent tidal inundation.

h.

suitable living foreshore riparian buffer to facilitate erosion resilience, improved water quality, biodiversity and natural amenity along the extent of the interface with the River.

i.

consideration of amenity, recreation and landscaping presentation befitting a key entry area into Noosa and in line with the Noosa Design Principles.

j.

consideration of infrastructure matters such as water, electrical, lighting and drainage services.

It is also noted that provision of a new facility and/or upgrades to existing onshore boat ramp or allied recreational boating facilities including all ability launching are currently not included in Council's forward planning capital works program. It is recommended that Council seek clarity on funding arrangements with MSQ for both on-water and on-shore components of the project including lifecycle costs associated with maintenance of the facility.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference is held annually and provides a forum for all Queensland councils to come together to table and debate contemporary issues of importance to their local areas and communities, as well as identify issues that are likely to be relevant to other local councils.

It is recommended that Noosa Council submit the attached motions to the 2026 (LGAQ) Annual Conference. The proposed motions in this report will seek support from other councils at the conference for implementation by the appropriate State or Federal bodies.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference is held annually and provides a forum for all Queensland councils to come together to table and debate contemporary issues of importance to their local areas and communities, as well as identify issues that are likely to be relevant to other local councils.

It is recommended that Noosa Council submit the attached motions to the 2026 (LGAQ) Annual Conference. The proposed motions in this report will seek support from other councils at the conference for implementation by the appropriate State or Federal bodies.