2014-11-20 Mayoral Minute - Noosa River Environmental Projects

                                   MAYORAL MINUTE

I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion at the Ordinary Meeting on
Thursday, 20 November, 2014:


1.   NOOSA RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

     That Council note the presentation to a Council workshop on 14 November 2014 from The
     Nature Conservancy and the Thomas Foundation in relation to proposed projects to
     improve the environmental outcomes for the Noosa River, and

     A.    Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to write to The Nature Conservancy and the
           Thomas Foundation advising that the Council will provide support for the two initial
           proposed projects with a Council financial contribution of up to $25,000 and with
           Council also providing support for any required interface to government agencies;
           and

     B.    Request the Chief Executive Officer to continue liaison with both The Nature
           Conservancy and the Thomas Foundation regarding possible future projects for
           consideration and to provide Council with updates as required.


BACKGROUND

As Council would be aware, one of our strategic priorities is improving the environmental
outcomes for the Noosa River. Other organisations are also interested in that outcome and have
approached the Council to outline their proposed approach and to seek the support of the
Council for a series of potential projects in relation to the Noosa River.

A workshop was held at Council on 14 November 2014 involving:
•    The Nature Conservancy – an internationally recognised conservation group which works
     across 35 countries internationally including Australia. Basing projects on strong scientific
     research, The Nature Conservancy works with partners to deliver environmental outcomes.
•    The Thomas Foundation - a Noosa based philanthropic organisation that provides
     financial support to projects associated with the preservation of biodiversity in Australia.
•    Noosa Parks Association – facilitating the support of the Thomas Foundation and the
     Nature Conservancy on this issue.
•    Noosa Council – the workshop was attended by all Councillors and a number of senior
     staff.
•    Other Local Environmental Groups – Noosa and District Landcare Inc and Noosa
     Integrated Catchment Association Inc were in attendance at the workshop and were
     generally supportive of this initiative.

At the workshop, a number of potential projects were considered with a focus on projects that
have a scientific outcome. Two specific projects have been developed further by The Nature