2016-10-11 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Delegations of Authority

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   11 OCTOBER 2016




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                11 OCTOBER 2016

           Achievement of the target requires:
           =   A detailed Action Plan that will drive and prioritise GHG emission abatement activities.
           =   Acost-benefit analysis model which identifies net benefits of potential GHG emission reduction
               projects.
           =   Ongoing commitment of annual funding (operating and capital).
           =   Ongoing data collection, use of credible GHG measurement techniques, plus effective
               monitoring and reporting systems.
           =   Flexibility to adjust to the rapid pace of technological change and shifting cost efficiencies that
               may arise.
           =   An appropriate internal governance framework plus internal champions to drive the necessary
               changes.
           =   Participation by Council's employees to drive organisational behaviour change.
           =   Aninternal and external communications plan.

           6.      Background
           6.1.     Noosa context
           Being a coastal locality, Noosa Shire is vulnerable to the predicted impacts of climate change in
           relation to coastal inundation and sea level rise. Of course there are many other potential impacts
           as well. These include habitat loss, species extinctions, reduced water supply, more intense
           weather events etc. It isin Council’s and the community’s interest to mitigate those impacts by
           reducing Council’s GHG emissions.
           The Noosa Shire area is at real risk of not only experiencing the physical effects of climate change
           but also the flow on effects to the local economy and resident lifestyles.
           Regardless of the potential impacts from climate change, Council has a responsibility to minimise
           the financial impact on ratepayers that the threat of rising fuel, utility and other charges pose.
           Council also has a responsibility to continue to strive to achieve best practice in line with the
           Shire’s designation as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve and the long standing
           commitment by the community to living sustainably within the natural environment.
           Like many local governments in Australia, the pre-amalgamation Noosa Council participated in the
           International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection (CCP)
           program. Council joined the program in 2001. Some of the projects undertaken at the time
           include: installation of movement sensors on office lighting; reshaping of the organisational vehicle
           fleet to accommodate smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles; a pilot project trialling bio-diesel fuel for
           trucks; plus general emission avoidance and waste reduction strategies. In more recent years six
           Council buildings & facilities have had solar power installed.
           The CCP program was complemented by a travel behaviour change scheme aimed at reducing
           reliance on motor vehicles whilst encouraging the use of public transport, walking and cycling. Part
           of the program that continues to this day is the free holiday bus initiative. This encourages people
           to travel by public transport in order to reduce both traffic congestion and vehicle emissions. An
           electric bus trial initiated by the new Noosa Council is expected to commence in 2017.

           Zero Emissions Noosa™ — Organisational Strategy                                            Page 6

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