Council meeting
General Committee Meeting
Monday 16 March 2026
On the agenda
Agenda includes: see full agenda
4
4.1 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING DATED 16 FEBRUARY 20265 PRESENTATIONS6 DEPUTATIONS7 ITEMS REFERRED FROM COMMITTEES7
7.1 UPDATE TO COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION ON VARIOUS GROUPS, BOARDS AND EXTERNAL GROUPS 2026 (MID TERM REVIEW) (referred from Services & Organisation Committee meeting 10 March 2026 - Item 7.3)8 REPORTS DIRECT TO GENERAL COMMITTEE8
8.1 PEREGIAN BEACH ACTIVE STREET - STAGE 1 PROGRESS UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS8.2 REVIEW OF NOOSA COUNCIL MEETING STRUCTURE8.3 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FEBRUARY 20269 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION10 MEETING CLOSURE4.1 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING DATED 16 FEBRUARY 2026
7.1 UPDATE TO COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION ON VARIOUS GROUPS, BOARDS AND EXTERNAL GROUPS 2026 (MID TERM REVIEW) (referred from Services & Organisation Committee meeting 10 March 2026 - Item 7.3)
Following discussions with Councillors and the Executive Team, the purpose of this report is to make requested changes to the appointments of 'Councillors via Resolution' to various groups and Boards that were made at the beginning of the 2024-2028 term. Rotation of members halfway through the Council term is recommended to give Councillors the opportunity to experience various roles and groups. This report seeks to amend the appointment of Councillors, as noted in this
Votes and motions
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services and
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 March 2026; and
B. Appoint the Council representatives to the following groups (noting that
these supersede any prior appointments):
GROUPS ESTABLISHED BY COUNCIL:
a.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair and Cr Phillips as Deputy Chair to the
Local Disaster Management Group (and note that all Councillors
are to be invited to attend as Observers);
b.
Appoint Cr Phillips as Chair and Cr Lorentson as Deputy Chair to
the Local Disaster Recovery Committee, (and note that all
Councillors are to be invited to attend as Observers);
c.
Appoint Cr Wilkie, Cr Wegener and Cr Wilson to the Case
Management Working Group;
d.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair of the Regional Arts Development Fund
Committee (RADF);
e.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair of the Noosa Heritage Reference Group;
f.
Appoint Cr Phillips as Chair, Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie, to the
Capital Works Executive;
g.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair, Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilson to the CEO
Performance Review Committee;
h.
Appoint Cr Stockwell as Chair, Cr Finzel and Cr Wegener Cr
Lorentson to the Noosa Biosphere Trails Reference Group;
i.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as the Chair of the Business Round Table (and
note that all Councillors are to be invited to attend as Observers);
j.
Appoint Cr Wilson as Chair, and Cr Finzel and Cr Wegener to the
Climate Change Response Plan Steering Group;
k.
Appoint Cr Wilson to the Management Committee, and Cr
Finzel (incorrectly listed as Cr Phillips in Services & Organisation
agenda meeting dated 10 March 2026), Cr Lorentson as an
Observer, to the MOU / Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA)
with the Sunshine Coast University (SCU);
l.
Appoint Cr Wilkie and Cr Wilson to the Audit and Risk Committee;
m. Appoint Cr Lorentson as Chair and Cr Stockwell to the Noosa Drive
Pathway Project Reference Group;
n.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair, and Cr Finzel and Cr Wilson to the
Housing Stakeholder Reference Group;
o.
Appoint Cr Wilkie to the Regional Resource Recovery Steering
Group (as part of the MOU with Gympie Council);
p.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair, Cr Lorentson and Cr Phillips to the
Noosa Botanic Gardens Masterplan Stakeholders Reference
Group
q.
Appoint Cr Phillips Cr Lorentson to the Environment Levy Working
Group;
EXTERNAL GROUPS (not established by Council):
r.
Appoint Cr Stockwell as Council's Observer on the Tourism Noosa
Board;
s.
Appoint Cr Lorentson as Council's Observer on the Noosa
Biosphere Reserve Foundation Board;
t.
Appoint Cr Finzel as member and Cr Phillips as an Observer to the
Northern SEQ Regional Roads and Transport Group;
u.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Stockwell as
Proxy, to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) ;
v.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Wegener as
Proxy, to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Waste Working Group;
w. Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Stockwell as
Proxy to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) SEQ 2032 Legacy Working
Group;
x.
Appoint Cr Lorentson & Cr Wegener on the Noosa World Surfing
Reserve Committee;
y.
Appoint Cr Wilson to the Local Govt Domestic & Family Violence
Prevention Champions Network;
z.
Appoint Cr Phillips to the Sunshine Coast Precinct Transport
Security Group.
C.
That the Tourism Noosa observer role be reviewed at the time of the
establishment of the Destination Stewardship Council.
That Item D be added to read:
D. Request the CEO to begin a review of the status of the existing working groups
and the potential need for the establishment of any new groups, including
consideration of an external Hastings Street precinct working group.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener
Against: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
That Item D be added to read:
D. Request the CEO to begin a review of the status of the existing working groups
and the potential need for the establishment of any new groups.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against:
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services and
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 March 2026; and
B. Appoint the Council representatives to the following groups (noting that
these supersede any prior appointments):
GROUPS ESTABLISHED BY COUNCIL:
a.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair and Cr Phillips as Deputy Chair to the Local
Disaster Management Group (and note that all Councillors are to be
invited to attend as Observers);
b.
Appoint Cr Phillips as Chair and Cr Lorentson as Deputy Chair to the
Local Disaster Recovery Committee, (and note that all Councillors are
to be invited to attend as Observers);
c.
Appoint Cr Wilkie, Cr Wegener and Cr Wilson to the Case
Management Working Group;
d.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair of the Regional Arts Development Fund
Committee (RADF);
e.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair of the Noosa Heritage Reference Group;
f.
Appoint Cr Phillips as Chair, Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie, to the Capital
Works Executive;
g.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair, Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilson to the CEO
Performance Review Committee;
h.
Appoint Cr Stockwell as Chair, Cr Finzel and Cr Lorentson to the
Noosa Biosphere Trails Reference Group;
i.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as the Chair of the Business Round Table (and note
that all Councillors are to be invited to attend as Observers);
j.
Appoint Cr Wilson as Chair, and Cr Finzel and Cr Wegener to the
Climate Change Response Plan Steering Group;
k.
Appoint Cr Wilson to the Management Committee, Cr Lorentson as
an Observer, to the MOU / Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA)
with the Sunshine Coast University (SCU);
l.
Appoint Cr Wilkie and Cr Wilson to the Audit and Risk Committee;
m. Appoint Cr Lorentson as Chair and Cr Stockwell to the Noosa Drive
Pathway Project Reference Group;
n.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Chair, and Cr Finzel and Cr Wilson to the
Housing Stakeholder Reference Group;
o.
Appoint Cr Wilkie to the Regional Resource Recovery Steering Group
(as part of the MOU with Gympie Council);
p.
Appoint Cr Finzel as Chair, Cr Lorentson and Cr Phillips to the Noosa
Botanic Gardens Masterplan Stakeholders Reference Group
q.
Appoint Cr Lorentson to the Environment Levy Working Group;
EXTERNAL GROUPS (not established by Council):
r.
Appoint Cr Stockwell as Council's Observer on the Tourism Noosa
Board;
s.
Appoint Cr Lorentson as Council's Observer on the Noosa Biosphere
Reserve Foundation Board;
t.
Appoint Cr Finzel as member and Cr Phillips as an Observer to the
Northern SEQ Regional Roads and Transport Group;
u.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Stockwell as
Proxy, to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) ;
v.
Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Wegener as
Proxy, to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Waste Working Group;
w. Appoint Cr Wilkie as Council's Representative, and Cr Stockwell as
Proxy to the Council of Mayors (SEQ) SEQ 2032 Legacy Working
Group;
x.
Appoint Cr Lorentson & Cr Wegener on the Noosa World Surfing
Reserve Committee;
y.
Appoint Cr Wilson to the Local Govt Domestic & Family Violence
Prevention Champions Network;
z.
Appoint Cr Phillips to the Sunshine Coast Precinct Transport Security
Group.
C.
That the Tourism Noosa observer role be reviewed at the time of the
establishment of the Destination Stewardship Council.
D. Request the CEO to begin a review of the status of the existing working
groups and the potential need for the establishment of any new groups.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against:
8.1 PEREGIAN BEACH ACTIVE STREET - STAGE 1 PROGRESS UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS
This report provides a project status update and recommendation for the Peregian Beach Active Street – Stage 1 project, including background to the project, an outline of findings from recent community engagement and current project parameters. The project is funded through the South East Queensland Liveability Fund and the Active Transport Fund.
The report recommends continuing to proceed with the project with a series of design modifications in response to recent community feedback.
The report includes extensive attachments in the form of community feedback on the proposal, this feedback contained in Attachments 1 to 7 has been provided as confidential attachments due to the inclusion of personal information that has at best efforts been redacted however may still contain information that could identify a person or address. Therefore, if required, in accordance with Section 254J (3) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, the meeting will be permitted to be closed to the public for discussion on this business relating to the following:
(f) matters that may directly affect the health and safety of an individual or a group of individuals.
As a result of the extensive consultation and ensuing feedback a number of changes have been proposed to the initial designs. The following notes the suggested refinements to the design and ongoing investigations:
1.
Improved Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) measures on surrounding streets to improve vehicle speed and safety;
2.
Investigation into increasing formalised parking yield across the Peregian Beach South area including within Victory Park and along Lorikeet Drive. Ongoing investigations include, but are not limited to: one way circulation through Victory Park; angled parking within Victory Park, parallel parking on Lorikeet Drive adjacent high density residential zone and formalised parking at the eastern end of Pitta St;
3.
Investigation into a softer colour palette and/or a reduction in perceived over development to lesser impact, village scale raised intersections, priority crossings, chicanes, speed bumps and overrun areas where possible within statutory traffic requirements;
4.
Widening of the existing boardwalk through Lorikeet Park along the current alignment as well as inclusion of speed management device to control bike speeds on approach to shared path and boardwalk through Lorikeet Park;
5.
Improvements to Victory Park to least impactful carparking layout but including no-parking zone in front of the two beach entrances, provision of limited long vehicle parking bays and end-of-trip facilities such as improved water points and bike racks.
6.
Inclusion of additional street tree planting;
7.
Investigate additional signage for user behaviour at key locations and nodes;
8.
Investigation into Lorikeet Dr and Pitta St intersection design to accommodate vehicle turn around movements.
9.
Investigation into land tenure south of Lorikeet Park bridge to facilitate the continued use and upgrade of the pathway on the existing alignment.
The report also seeks in-principle support for continuing to invest in Stage 2, subject to future budget allocation, to achieve connectivity to the Peregian Beach Village, and an investment in a broader education and awareness program on the benefits of active transport to support delivery of the shire wide Coastal Pathway Corridor, a key component of Council's Cycling and Walking Strategy.
In the corporate plan
Conflicts of interest
Cr Frank Wilkie — prescribed conflict of interest
In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009 - I, Cr Frank Wilkie, declare
a prescribed conflict of interest for Item 8.1 PEREGIAN BEACH ACTIVE STREET - STAGE
8.2 REVIEW OF NOOSA COUNCIL MEETING STRUCTURE
This report presents the findings of the Council Meeting Structure Review, undertaken at the request of Councillors and informed by two Councillor workshops.
While the current meeting structure has operated effectively in the past, it places significant demands on Councillors and staff, limits time for report review for Councillors, can create duplication in discussions, and can contribute to community uncertainty about decision-making processes.
Four meeting models were assessed to improve efficiency, increase report review time, reduce duplication, enhance transparency, and support informed decision-making processes.
Consolidating current meeting structure to one General Committee Meeting and one Ordinary Meeting per month (Option 2), has been identified as the most beneficial (recommended) option, as it best balances efficiency, transparency, report review time, and informed decision-making while reducing overall meeting demand.
Votes and motions
That Council
A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the General Committee dated 16 March 2026
regarding the review of the Noosa Council Meeting Structure;
B. Adopt Option 2, as detailed in the Report, as the Council Meeting Structure, with
implementation to commence from 1 July 2026;
C. Appoint all Councillors as Committee Members and appoint the Deputy Mayor as the
Chair of the General Committee from 1 July 2026; and
D. Approve the Council Meeting Schedule for July 2026 - December 2026 as provided in
Attachment 1 to the Report (noting this supersedes the previously approved meeting
schedule for 2026).
Amend Items B,C & D to read:
B. Adopt Option 2, as detailed in the Report, as the Council Meeting Structure, with
implementation to commence from 1 July 1 May 2026
C. Appoint all Councillors as Committee Members and appoint the Deputy Mayor as the Chair
of the General Committee from 1 July 1 May 2026;
D. Approve the Council Meeting Schedule for July 2026 - December 2026 as provided in
Attachment 1 to the Report (noting this supersedes the previously approved meeting
schedule for 2026), after amending to include May and June 2026
For: Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Frank Wilkie
That Item C be amended to read:
C. Appoint all Councillors as Committee Members and appoint Councillors on a
rotating schedule to the Deputy Mayor Chair the General Committee from 1 May 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 2.21pm
The meeting resumed at 2.37pm
That Item C be amended to read:
C. Appoint all Councillors as Committee Members and appoint Councillors on a 4 monthly
rotating schedule on agreement, with Councillor Stockwell retaining the chair for the first
period on the schedule commencing from 1 May 2026.
Item B & C be amended to read:
B. Adopt Option 3, as detailed in the Report, as the Council Meeting Structure, with
implementation to commence from 1 May 2026;
C. Appoint all Councillors as members of all committees commencing 1 May 2026;
For:
Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
That item E be added:
E. Review the new meeting structure in 12 months to ensure that it is delivering its intended
benefits.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against:
That Council
A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the General Committee dated 16 March 2026
regarding the review of the Noosa Council Meeting Structure;
B. Adopt Option 2, as detailed in the Report, as the Council Meeting Structure, with
implementation to commence from 1 May 2026;
C. Appoint all Councillors as Committee Members and appoint the Deputy Mayor as the
Chair of the General Committee from 1 May 2026;
D. Approve the Council Meeting Schedule for July 2026 - December 2026 as provided in
Attachment 1 to the Report (noting this supersedes the previously approved meeting
schedule for 2026) after amending to include May and June 2026
E. Review the new meeting structure in 12 months to ensure that it is delivering its intended
benefits.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against:
8.3 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FEBRUARY 2026
To meet its monthly reporting obligations under section 204 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (the Regulation), a monthly financial report is to be provided to Council for its information.
This report complies with section 204 of the Regulation, providing Council with a report on its financial performance to 28 February 2026 against its Revised Budget for the 2025-26 financial year as adopted by Council on 19 February 2026.
At 28 February 2026, Council had a favourable Net Result variance to budget of $4.8m, with $2.9m of this variance attributable to Council's operating result and a further $1.9m derived from Council's capital funding sources.
At 28 February 2026, noting the impacts of higher than anticipated operational revenue streams and the timing of the delivery of the capital works program, there are no identified financial risks that will impact Council's forecasted financial position at 30 June 2026.
Further to this, following the adoption of Budget Review 2 for the 2025-26 financial year at Council's Ordinary Meeting on 19 February 2026, Council is now required to adopt an amended debt policy.
The attached revised 2025-26 Debt Policy (Attachment 6) now reflects total borrowings of $3.1m in the 2025-26 financial year with borrowings in the outer years remaining unchanged. There are no additional changes to the policy other than reflecting the updated position of Budget Review 2.
In the corporate plan
Votes and motions
That Council:
A. Note the report by the Revenue Services Manager and Financial Services Manager
(Acting) to the General Committee dated 16 March 2026 regarding Council's financial
performance to 28 February 2026; and
B. Adopt the revised 2025-26 Debt Policy (Attachment 6) which incorporates the revised
borrowings adopted by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 19 February 2026.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson
Against:
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