Agenda of Environment and Sustainability Committee

Item No.	Item Title	Page No.
	Confirmation of Minutes
1	Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee No. 2024(04) of 3 September 2024	7
	Officers’ Reports
2	Ipswich City Council Membership to Healthly Land and Water 2024 - 2025	11
3	**Board Appointments of Greenovate Pty Ltd Non-Confidential Report	80
	Notices of Motion
	Matters Arising

Environment and Sustainability Committee NO. 2024(05)

15 October 2024

AGENDA

Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA

BUSINESS OUTSTANDING

Confirmation of Minutes

1. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee No. 2024(04) of 3 September 2024

Recommendation

That the minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee held on
3 September 2024 be confirmed.

Officers’ Reports

2. Ipswich City Council Membership to Healthly Land and Water 2024 - 2025

This is a report concerning Ipswich City Council and the regional Natural Resource Management group for South East Queensland - Healthy Land and Water, specifically the current and future membership and funding arrangements which have been under review for 2 consecutive years and the value it offers to Council.

Recommendation

A. That Council resolves to cease its membership of Healthy Land and Water and no longer make an annual financial membership payment.

3. **Board Appointments of Greenovate Pty Ltd non-confidential report

This paper serves as a covering report for the Council to resolve to appoint the preferred candidates for the Board Members of Greenovate Pty Ltd, the personal and private details of the candidates and recruitment process are detailed in the multiple attached confidential papers.

Recommendation

A. In accordance with Rule 7.2(a) and Rule 7.3(a)(1) of the Greenovate Constitution, and clause 5.2(a) and 5.4 (a)(1) of the Security Holders Agreement, together with Logan City Council and Redland City Council, Ipswich City Council appoint Candidate 1 as an Independent Director of Greenovate Pty Ltd A.C.N. 672 812 154 for a period of four (4) years as set out in Confidential Attachment 4.

B. In accordance with Rule 7.2(a) and Rule 7.3(b) of the Greenovate Constitution, and clause 5.4(a) of the Security Holders Agreement, together with Logan City Council and Redland City Council, Ipswich City Council appoint Candidate 2 as an Independent Director of Greenovate Pty Ltd A.C.N. 672 812 154 for a period of three (3) years as set out in Confidential Attachment 4.

C. In accordance with Rule 7.2(a) and Rule 7.3(b) of the Greenovate Constitution, and clause 5.4(a) of the Security Holders Agreement, together with Logan City Council and Redland City Council, Ipswich City Council appoint Candidate 3 as an Independent Director of Greenovate Pty Ltd A.C.N. 672 812 154 for a period of three (3) years as set out in Confidential Attachment 4.

D. In accordance with Rule 7.2(a) and Rule 7.3(b) of the Greenovate Constitution, and clause 5.4(a) of the Security Holders Agreement, together with Logan City Council and Redland City Council, Ipswich City Council appoint Candidate 4 as an Independent Director of Greenovate Pty Ltd A.C.N. 672 812 154 for a period of three (3) years as set out in Confidential Attachment 4.

E. If Logan City Council, Ipswich City Council and Redland City Council do not resolve to appoint at least two (2) Independent Directors to Greenovate Pty Ltd by
6 November 2024, the shareholder representative for the Council is authorised to:

a. execute a variation to the SHA in accordance with the amendment set out in Attachment 7;

b. pass a Securityholder resolution to replace the Constitution of Greenovate Pty Ltd with the amended Constitution as set out in Attachment 6; and

c. pass a Securityholder resolution appointing the Chief Executive Officer of Redland City Council, as an interim director under Rule 7.6 (a) of the Greenovate Constitution and clause 5.1(c) of the Security Holders Agreement.

F. That upon the winding up of Greenovate Pty Ltd, the confidential attachments to the report titled Greenovate Pty Ltd Board Chair, be placed in the public records.

*Due to the confidential nature of these appointments and until such time as the other Councils have adopted their recommendations, the names of the proposed directors will be held in confidence.

NOTICES OF MOTION

MATTERS ARISING

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

15 October

2024

Environment and Sustainability Committee NO. 2024(04)

3 September 2024

Minutes

COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Jim Madden (Chairperson); Councillors Andrew Antoniolli (Deputy Chairperson), Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Jacob Madsen and Pye Augustine

COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES:

Nil

OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE:

Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), Disaster and Natural Hazards Manager (Matthew Pinder), Manager Natural Environment (Phil A Smith), Chief of Staff – Office of the Mayor (Melissa Fitzgerald), Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator (Heike Bell), Program Officer (Environmental Education) (Kimberley Hare), Team Leader - Environment and Sustainability Education and Awareness (Stephani Grove), Senior Media Officer (Darrell Giles), Coordinator Communications (Lucy Stone) and Theatre Technician (Harrison Cate)

Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country

Councillor Jim Madden (Chairperson) delivered the Acknowledgement of Country

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA

Nil

BUSINESS OUTSTANDING

Nil

Confirmation of Minutes

1. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee No. 2024(03) of 13 August 2024

Recommendation

Moved by Councillor Andrew Antoniolli:

Seconded by Councillor Pye Augustine:

That the minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee held on
13 August 2024 be confirmed.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE

Councillors: Councillors:

Madden Nil

Antoniolli

Harding

Jonic

Madsen

Augustine

The motion was put and carried.

Officers’ Reports

2. Queens Park Environmental Education Centre operational update

This is a report concerning the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, highlighting key changes from the past two years and the plan for the future.

Recommendation

Moved by Councillor Andrew Antoniolli:

Seconded by Councillor Jacob Madsen:

That the report on the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre be received and its contents noted.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE

Councillors: Councillors:

Madden Nil

Antoniolli

Harding

Jonic

Madsen

Augustine

The motion was put and carried.

3. Disaster Awareness Camera Network (DACN) Update

This report concerns the progress in establishing and implementing the Disaster Awareness Camera Network (DACN), commonly called flood cameras. It describes the activities undertaken thus far and plans to roll out the DACN camera network across the Ipswich LGA.

Recommendation

Moved by Councillor Andrew Antoniolli:

Seconded by Councillor Pye Augustine:

That the report titled Disaster Awareness Camera Network (DACN) Update be received and noted.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE

Councillors: Councillors:

Madden Nil

Antoniolli

Harding

Jonic

Madsen

Augustine

The motion was put and carried.

4. Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Policy Directive Update

This is an update report on the continuing implementation of the Ipswich City Council Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Policy Directive (the Directive) following the review of the Directive as presented to the Ordinary Council Meeting of 23 May 2024.

As outlined in the attachment to this report, a significant body of work continues to implement actions against the ten (10) principles of the Directive.

Recommendation

Moved by Mayor Teresa Harding:

Seconded by Councillor Pye Augustine:

That the report on the Waste and Circular Economy Transformation Policy Directive update be received and noted.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE

Councillors: Councillors:

Madden Nil

Antoniolli

Harding

Jonic

Madsen

Augustine

The motion was put and carried.

5. Ipswich City Council's Financial Contribution To The ResiliEnt Rivers InitIative Through South East Queensland Council Of Mayors

This is a report concerning Ipswich City Council’s financial contribution to the Resilient Rivers Initiative through Council of Mayors (SEQ).

Recommendation

Moved by Councillor Andrew Antoniolli:

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic:

That Ipswich City Council pay Council of Mayors (SEQ) the sum of $224,263 as its financial contribution to the Resilient Rivers Initiative for the 2024-2025 financial year.

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE

Councillors: Councillors:

Madden Nil

Antoniolli

Harding

Jonic

Madsen

Augustine

The motion was put and carried.

NOTICES OF MOTION

Nil

MATTERS ARISING

Nil

PROCEDURAL MOTIONS AND FORMAL MATTERS

The meeting commenced at 12.46 pm.

The meeting closed at 1.04 pm.

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

15 October

2024

Doc ID No: A10691412

ITEM: 2

SUBJECT: Ipswich City Council Membership to Healthly Land and Water 2024 - 2025

AUTHOR: Manager, Natural Environment

DATE: 20 September 2024

Executive Summary

Recommendation/s

That Council resolves to cease its membership of Healthy Land and Water and no longer make an annual financial membership payment.

RELATED PARTIES

Healthy Land and Water

ifuture Theme

Natural and Sustainable

Purpose of Report/Background

Healthy Land and Water (HLW) is the recognised regional natural resource management (NRM) body that is focussed on improving and protecting Southeast Queensland’s environment, catchments, and waterways. As a non-government organisation they are financially supported through membership and partner contributions, State and Commonwealth Government funding and grants, as well as running a commercial ‘fee for service’ business.

The remit of Healthy Land and Water currently includes:

- Provision of design and best practise stormwater and erosion and sediment control advice for urban stormwater management through the Water By Design Program (including the recent audit of Ipswich City Council’s Erosion and Sediment Control compliance function)

- Economic, Social and Ecological monitoring and modelling of catchment condition

- Estuarine marine and freshwater environmental condition data collection, storage, and provision

- A number of expert panels and the hosting of the Southeast Queensland Monitoring and Evaluation Steering Committee

- Production and publication of annual report cards and waterway health grades

- Provision of advice and guidance around recreational risk from water quality through the healthy waterway program

Council’s contribution goes towards the provision of a range of regional services and products. Primarily, membership covers the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program and the associated report card into the health of the Bremer River. These results are published along with all other report cards for catchments across Southeast Queensland to provide a regional context of the health of the waterways and Moreton Bay.

Council has generally provided annual membership payments as part of a three-year funding agreement as proposed by HLW. For the past 2 years, Council has supported a move to a one-year commitment on the provision that officers assess and measure the value of the membership and the services provided directly in relation to the needs of council. An assessment was carried out by officers in 2022 (Attachment 1). Specifically in the context of its requirements for waterway monitoring to inform current and future investment, management actions and their efficiency.

After broad internal and intra-council consultation throughout this period and the synthesis of a needs report (Attachment 3), it is the opinion of the subject matter experts that, in relation to informative monitoring and reporting Council does not receive value for money in investing in the regional EHMP program. Its needs are not being met, nor can they, through the regional temporal and spatial scale and regional focus of the program. Rather than duplicate investment in monitoring, it is recommended that the membership payment not be paid and focus be placed on working with consultants and the broader stakeholder working groups to design and cost a localised program to meet Council’s needs moving forward.

Council’s roles and needs have changed throughout the life of the EHMP program. As has the local context and pressures on our waterways and the urgency with which this needs to be addressed. At inception, Moreton Bay and Catchments Water Management Partnership established: 1998, known later as Healthy Waterways, was initiated by the Policy Council of the Brisbane River Management Group in response to the objectives and scientific strategies found in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay Wastewater Management Study program.

The Healthy Waterways program (later to become Healthy Land and Water) developed the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program and report card which served to unite the South East Queensland Councils, State Government and Utility suppliers with common goal focussed on improving and protecting Moreton bay, an invaluable and internationally renowned wetland marine sanctuary. In its first few years the monitoring and report card successfully identified point source pollution from sewage treatment plants as a driving factor for the health of the regions waterways and Morton bay. Highlighting and publishing this in turn resulted in the upgrade of many of the treatment plants and subsequently saw some of the biggest individual improvements in the health of SEQ Waterways over the last 40 years.

Since this time, the role and mandate of both Healthy Waterways and Local governments has changed considerably. June 2016 saw the amalgamation of Healthy Waterways and SEQ Catchments to form a new joint NRM body in Healthy Land and Water. Councils across SEQ have grown and developed capacity and capability as well as inherited responsibility for waterways and catchment management through the delivery of on ground projects and the provisions under the State Planning Policy around managing Stormwater and Environmental Values.

As a result councils across the region have monitoring and evaluation needs of their own to inform future investment, management intervention or identify sensitive or valuable areas that may require protection through the likes of the planning scheme or voluntary conservation agreements. One such contemporary example of this is the ICC platypus eDNA monitoring program tracking the presence or absence of our platypus populations in response to erosion and sediment inputs, floods and developmental pressures. Another example is the requirements to understand and quantify the catchment conditions and nutrient input for Councils Offsite Stormwater Improvement program (OSQIP) which has seen $11 million invested over the past 10 years on reducing pollutants.

These requirements are likely to increase as we move forwards with other major investments streams and programs such as the Resilient Rivers Initiative through the Council of Mayors and the federally funded urban rivers program, each of which will have their own monitoring and evaluation needs. These needs will not be met by the EHMP in its current form.

EHMP as a standalone regional monitoring program and a flagship reporting program set a standard for regional waterway/ecological reporting which has been instrumental in understanding Moreton Bay and paved the way for similar reporting programs across the world. It is delivered in partnership and behalf of State and to that end is of more value to the Queensland Government than local Councils.

As per a committee report tabled for the 22/23 Financial year, council took the step of moving away from the previously supported and regular agreement of Funding HLW in favour of a 12-month agreement. This was subject to council reviewing the value for money that the previous agreement offered to council specifically regarding the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) and report card.

During that year a value assessment was produced (Attachment 1) and an informal discussion group was established between local government officers in this space to discuss our individual needs and requirements. Those discussions have been constructing and have continued into guiding the development of the monotiling plan for ICC.

Legal IMPLICATIONS

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Local Government Act 2009

policy implications

None were identified

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There is reputational risk associated with the public perceptions of removing annual funding to Healthy Land and Water as the acknowledged Regional NRM group, as a negative environmental stance. However considerations around the financial position of both organisations and the management of public funds suggests that these perceptions would not be justified.

Council’s partnership payment of approximately $100,000 per year constitutes less than 1% of the annual revenue of Healthy Land and Water which in 2022 year received a total income of $17,747,620 17.

Based upon the 2022/2023 year the combined local government contributions accumulate to around 10% of the total revenue.

Council’s tactical and strategic investment in managing waterways and catchment health continues to grow and in doing so, so do its requirements to demonstrate that its investment is offering value for money to the rate payer both in terms of where that money is directly placed on-ground and also to monitor and manage the impacts of that investment.

The decision to not fund the membership payment will not impact Council’s ability to engage or partner with Healthy Land and Water on a case-by-case business or partnership opportunity basis. It is assumed that Healthy Land and Water will engage with councils each year to understand the status of the membership and future intentions.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The annual membership payment saving will be used to fund a local water quality monitoring program that will be of great value to council in measuring the condition of Ipswich’s waterways.

Internal and external considerations were given to the value offered through membership investment and it was determined that this funding is better expended to provide local ongoing improvement and or monitoring at a scale which provides meaningful feedback to guide targeted future investment.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Council officers have engaged with Healthy Land and Water over the past 12 months regarding their value proposition.

Council officers have engaged with other SEQ councils, some of whom have also withdrawn membership.

Conclusion

It is recommended that Ipswich City Council does not continue to contribute an annual membership payment to Healthy Land and Water. More effective and efficient ways of monitoring and evaluating water quality to guide current and future investment in waterway and catchment management can be achieved through a local monitoring program.

Stepping back from the membership contributions does not preclude or limit Council’s ability to work with the NRM group in particular projects, programs or partnership initiatives on a case by case or fee for service basis.

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS
OTHER DECISION

(a) What is the Act/Decision being made?	That Ipswich City Council do not pay the Healthy Land and Water Membership contribution for the 2024-2025 year.
(b) What human rights are affected?	No human rights impacted.
(c) How are the human rights limited?	Not applicable
(d) Is there a good reason for limiting the relevant rights? Is the limitation fair and reasonable?	Not applicable
(e) Conclusion	The decision is consistent with human rights.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Ecosytem Health Monitoring Program Value Assessment October 2022 ⇩
2.	Final Report March 2024 ⇩

Phil A. Smith

Manager, Natural Environment

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

General Manager (Environment and Sustainability)

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

15 October

2024

Doc ID No: A10672975

ITEM: 3

SUBJECT: Board Appointments of Greenovate Pty Ltd non-confidential report

AUTHOR: Manager, Resource Recovery

DATE: 17 September 2024

Executive Summary

Recommendation/s

a. execute a variation to the SHA in accordance with the amendment set out in Attachment 7;

b. pass a Securityholder resolution to replace the Constitution of Greenovate Pty Ltd with the amended Constitution as set out in Attachment 6; and

F. That upon the winding up of Greenovate Pty Ltd, the confidential attachments to the report titled Greenovate Pty Ltd Board Chair, be placed in the public records.

*Due to the confidential nature of these appointments and until such time as the other Councils have adopted their recommendations, the names of the proposed directors will be held in confidence.

confidentiality

This is a public report with confidential attachments.

It is recommended that the confidential attachments be considered in a closed session pursuant to section 254J of the Local Government Regulation 2012 on that basis that the matter involves:

Section 254J (3) (g) negotiations relating to a commercial matter involving the local government for which a public discussion would be likely to prejudice the interests of the local government

It is considered necessary to take the discussion of the confidential attachments into a closed session as they contain information about the candidates and negotiations in respect of their appointment.

RELATED PARTIES

The CVs of the recommended candidates for the positions of independent directors of Greenovate is included in Confidential Attachment 4.

ifuture Theme

Natural and Sustainable

Purpose of Report/Background

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval to appoint independent directors of Greenovate Pty Ltd A.C.N. 672 812 154 (Greenovate).

Further details are explained in the attached Board Appointments of Greenovate Pty Ltd Confidential Report.

Legal IMPLICATIONS

As a Proprietary Limited company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), it is necessary for the three Councils, as Securityholders of Greenovate, to comply with its constitution and appoint an Independent Director to the company.

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

policy implications

There are no policy implications with this report.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Appointment of the independent directors will complete the process of replacing the interim directors whose term expires on 9 November 2024. The independent directors’ term will commence upon their execution of their letter of engagement, which will occur on or before 9 November 2024.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

This is detailed in the attached confidential report and other associated attachments, noting that director’s remuneration is catered for within the existing Greenovate working capital budget, and does not alter existing commitments by Council to Greenovate.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Community consultation was not required for this matter.

Conclusion

Following a recruitment process facilitated by independent external recruitment company, C3Talent, and consideration by the Greenovate Board, it has recommended the appointment of four (4) candidates for the position of Greenovate independent directors. Appointment of independent directors completes the process of replacing the interim directors whose term expires on 9 November 2024.

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS

HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS
OTHER DECISION

(a) What is the Act/Decision being made?	Board appointments for Greenovate Pty Ltd.
(b) What human rights are affected?	None
(c) How are the human rights limited?	N/A
(d) Is there a good reason for limiting the relevant rights? Is the limitation fair and reasonable?	N/A
(e) Conclusion	The decision is consistent with human rights.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

	CONFIDENTIAL
1.	Board Appointments of Greenovate Pty Ltd Confidential Report
2.	Greenovate Constitution
3.	Board Skills Matrix
4.	List of Preferred Candidates and Proposed Engagement Term
5.	CVs of Preferred Candidates
6.	Security holders Agreement
7.	Security holders Agreement (proposed amendment)
8.	Greenovate Constitution (Amended)

David McAlister

Manager, Resource Recovery

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

General Manager (Environment and Sustainability)

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”