Noosa Council unanimously approved its Environment Project Grants at its Ordinary Meeting last Thursday following a debate at its General Meeting where a three-month deferment of grant payments was discussed.
Councillors praised the work of volunteers engaged in the grant projects and again raised the issue of conflict of interest during the discussion.
At Monday’s General Meeting Cr Brian Stockwell excluded himself after declaring a perceived conflict of interest (as defined in section 175D of the Local Government Act 2009) related to the application by Hinterland Bush Links Inc. (in partnership with Noosa and District Landcare).
At the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday Cr Stockwell said he had reviewed the legislation and his connection to the organisation and felt he could participate in the meeting for the debate and vote.
Cr Stockwell outlined his links to Noosa and District Landcare. As a Sole Trader in his business Watershed Australia, he has both been contracted by, and had subcontracted officers of, Noosa and District Landcare prior to becoming a Councillor. He is an ordinary member of the group with long standing association including as a Council representative that assisted in its foundation in 1989. Cr Stockwell advised of his collegial relationships dating back to the 1980s with members of Landcare, his professional roles as a State Government public servant liaising with Landcare through those roles and his relationship with members of the current Landcare Committee. Cr Stockwell further advised that prior to him becoming a Councillor, he undertook a paid two day consultancy facilitating a meeting of Landcare members in 2015 and he had also subcontracted Landcare for a project. Cr Stockwell advised that there was no nexus between the work he had undertaken for Landcare prior to him becoming a Councillor and the project before Council for consideration. Cr Stockwell believed that he could consider this item impartially and in the public interest and requested to remain in the meeting room to participate in the debate and vote on this matter.
Councillors voted in favour of Cr Stockwell remaining in the meeting. Only Mayor Clare Stewart voted against it. She said as a fair-minded member of the community if asked whether Cr Stockwell could make an impartial decision relating to the organisation she would say no.
