Noosa Council have submitted six motions, all initiated by Cr Amelia Lorentson, for consideration by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) on 23-25 June 2026 in Canberra.
If deemed appropriate, the motion will be accepted and debated on the floor of the NGA and if resolved will then be further considered as a policy position of ALGA for lobbying to the Australian Government.
Cr Lorentson told council’s general meeting the motions she put forward reflected the issues she cared deeply about and were issues that mattered to this community and council.
“Our environment, our community and our youth deserve strong advocacy and that’s why I keep going to Canberra and bringing these motions forward each year,” she said. “Local councils can’t do this work alone. We need meaningful support and funding from every level of government if we want cleaner waterways, more resilient emergency systems, stronger cyber protections and a pathway for our young people to secure local government careers we must keep pushing. Advocacy is how we make noise, how we stay on the national agenda and how we secure the change our Noosa community needs.”
The motions are:
Reducing Microplastics in Waterways
Recycled Wastewater for Emergency Firefighting
Emergency Medical Workforce Support
Internal Cyber Security, Fraud Controls and Information Sharing in Local Government
National Youth Employment & Training Pathways in Local Government
National Framework to Improve Construction and Demolition Waste Recovery
Speaking to the motions Cr Lorentson said:
“I’ve got a couple of environmental motions – one focuses on reducing pollution before it reaches our oceans and waterways, one motion calls for federal funding in advanced wastewater treatment so we can stop micro plastics and emerging contaminants at the source. “Clean oceans and clean waterways matter greatly to this council and our community.
Places like Burgess Creek reminds us how fragile these systems are and why best practice treatment is essential. This pushes for stronger product stewardship so produces not councils carry the cost of problematic waste like microplastics and textiles.
“Two other motions relate to emergency management. One seeks to use recycled wastewater for firefighting just so it reduces the strain on potable supplies.
“The other calls for the creation of an Australian medical reserve so senior and semi-retired doctors can volunteer during disasters. That motion has been brought to me by the AMA and by retired doctors in Noosa.
“Both motions aim to build stronger, safer and more resilient communities that can respond more effectively when emergencies hit.
“The cybersecurity motion is an area where I believe needs national support in mind of recent incidences here in Noosa and the Gold Coast motion. My motion for local government cybersecurity and fraud resilience program would help us upgrade our systems strengthen staff training and share in real time threat intelligence. Councils can’t face cyber threats alone.
“Another motion is to improve construction and demolition waste recovery. Construction waste is a major contributor to our landfill volumes and resource loss. A national focus or climate for resource separation – separating construction and demolition waste at the source – would help us reduce landfill pressures and improve recycling rates and cut back illegal dumping.
“Our youth, one of most important sectors in our community, in the age of 18-24 we see leaving Noosa- that focuses on youth employment.
“I asked the commonwealth to establish a youth employment and training program with each council. The idea is we as a council are one of the largest employers in Noosa. Council should almost mandate mandatory youth apprenticeships and internships and it should be proportionate to our population, to ensure young people have access to careers in local government. With major shortages in planning, engineering, surveying and digital roles I think it’s important that we get the funding but also get support in terms of regional pathways and national recognition that local government is a key employer.”
Mayor Frank Wilkie praised Cr Lorentson for presenting the motions he described as “a considerable body of work”.
“I have to admire the work that’s gone into it and the passion in which she’s pursued over several years now some of these issues,” he said before nominating Cr Lorentson to attend Canberra to advocate for the motions.
ALGA advised councils that motions for this year’s NGA should focus on how local governments can work in partnership with the Australian Government to address the challenges our communities face or seize the opportunities that are national priorities.
