ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) Inc. ALLIANCE AGREEMENT · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          6 OCTOBER 2026


   1. ZENe which focusses on electrification and stationary energy systems. ZENe delivers the
      Solar on Low Income Homes program, the Business Energy Advisor program, Solar for
      Strata, Community Batteries, and community education forums.
   2. ZENTAG which focusses on transportation and modal shift. ZENTAG delivers the Shift the
      Ride program, Noosa E-Bike Library, ZENDURO schools education and community
      education initiatives.
   3. EV and Electrify Everything Expo working group which coordinates and delivers Noosa’s
      annual EV and Electrify Everything Expo which has been running for seven consecutive
      years.

Across all its working groups, ZEN Inc delivers education and information to the Noosa community
via social media, a regular e-newsletter, a standing fortnightly column in Noosa Today, radio
interviews, regular forums at Noosa Libraries and community, and a comprehensive informative
website. ZEN Inc continues to advocate for Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs), funding
for households and businesses, walking and cycling initiatives and electrification in various state and
federal forums, and has become a widely respected organisation for its representation and role in
supporting the transition to clean, affordable energy and transport.

To achieve Goal 4 to be a sustainable organisation, ZEN Inc has focused on financial sustainability,
governance and efficient operations, effective communications and advocacy and strong
collaboration with strategic stakeholders.

ZEN Inc actively seeks funding for projects from other sources, which is also a key objective in the
Alliance Agreement. ZEN Inc was successful in a grant from the Queensland Department of
Environment and Science to develop a Business Plan for a network of batteries across Noosa Shire.
ZEN Inc also received funding for the Seeds of Change Project from the State Member for Noosa
and was instrumental in Council’s successful application for funding for the Noosaville Community
Battery as part of the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar grant. The
table below summarises the grants that ZEN Inc has sought and been successful for over the past
three financial years.

ZEN Inc continues to actively seek out ways to diversify its income, including through corporate
sponsorship, government grants, caused-based giving, community donations, referral income, and
crowdfunding. ZEN Inc has successfully achieved tax deductible status for donation and actively
seeks out donation opportunities. Contributions from corporate sponsors of the EV & Electrify Expo
have increased from $45,000 in 2024 to $62,500 in 2026.

ZEN Inc. Alliance Agreement

Council has recognised the important contribution that ZEN Inc makes to implementing Council's
Climate Change Response Plan. As such, in the 2026/27 Budget, Council allocated $148,000 to
continue support for its alliance with ZEN Inc. The updated Alliance Agreement is provided in
Attachment 1 which covers terms and conditions for the funding, and dictates the arrangement for
and obligations for the second term of the alliance between Noosa Council and ZEN Inc. The
Agreement covers the following:

   •   The term of the Agreement
   •   The funding arrangements and conditions
   •   Reporting Requirements
   •   Intellectual Property
   •   Obligations of each Party