2018-02-06 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   6 FEBRUARY 2018


      on Lot 1, RP96529 at 52 Doonella Street, Tewantin as the proposed lease is to a not for
      profit community organisation; and
E.    Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to enter into negotiations with the Noosa Biosphere
      Reserve Foundation Ltd and finalise a lease for part of Council owned premises located on
      Lot 1, RP96529 at 52 Doonella Street, Tewantin, for a period of 3 years, with a 3 year
      option

Finance
The purpose of this report is to provide the Council with a copy of the NBRF 2016/17 Financial
Statement and Annual Report together with the 2017/18 six monthly progress report. This
material in the three attachments includes details of the financial dealings for NBRF.
The current Funding Agreement expires on 30 June 2018. Consideration of future funding of the
Foundation will be a matter for consideration during the 2018/19 Council budget development
process. The Foundation has given some indication of its expectations for future funding in its
six monthly progress report.
Council is currently still holding $250,000 provided in the 2017/18 budget for the NBRF program.
In other words, NBRF have not requested to draw down the $250,000 grant funding provided for
in Council’s 2017/18 budget. NBRF have indicated they will not be requesting release of these
funds given that they have only finalised their current grant program. Once the board fills the
two existing board vacancies there will be an opportunity to take on more activities.
To assist Council, the following table identifies the amounts budgeted by Council and the
amounts paid to NBRF.

Financial Year    Council Budget Provision*                    Amount paid to NBRF

2016/17           1. Operational Funding -$140,000             1. Operational Funding - $70,000
                  2. Environmental Grant Funding -             2. Environmental Grant Funding -
                     $250,000                                     $250,000
2017/18           1. Operational Funding -$140,000             1. Operational Funding - $140,000**
                  2. Environmental Grant Funding -             2. Environmental Grant Funding - $0***
                     $250,000

* Note that the Operational Funding is funded from general rates and the Environmental Grant Funding is
   funded from the environment levy.
** Note that NBRF draws down operational funding on a quarterly basis and $70,000 has been drawn
   down to 31 December 2017 with the remaining $70,000 to be paid prior to 30 June 2018.
*** Based on advice from NBRF, this funding is not required by NBRF in 2017/18.


Risks & Opportunities
It is important that the projects being funded by Council through the NBRF program are aligned
with Council’s overall strategic environmental goals and objectives, the purposes of the
Environment Levy and the Public Trust purposes. The NBRF are currently reviewing their
strategic plan and this will be provided to Council as part of the package of information required
to accompany their future funding request together with their proposed operational plan for
2018/19. This will occur as part of the process of developing a new funding agreement.
Obviously, a financial risk occurs if the NBRF does not deliver good outcomes in accordance with
the purpose of the funding. Both reports provide details sufficient to identify that the Foundation
is gathering momentum in achieving the expected outcomes.
The greatest opportunity through the funding provided by Council is the ability of the Foundation
to multiply Council’s investment by attracting funding and in-kind contributions from other sources
due to its charitable fund status. Existing projects have attracted funding of a ratio of 1:3 and it is

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