Annual Report 2020-21

                                                                                     2020 - 21 Annual Report



Corporate        Plan - Theme 2: The Noosa Community
•	The Noosa Education and Training Alliance (NETA) has expanded and is progressing projects that
   include education and industry pathways and the establishment of a Future Skills Learning Hub.
Key  achievements
•	Plans have been as we work
                   finalised    towards our
                             to remodel     long term
                                        the existing   goal include:
                                                     Peregian Community House as the next stage of
   the Digital
Specific       Hub. Funding
         Operational         from the FireTech grant will support additional high tech fit out of that
                      Plan Priorities
   area. Construction will commence in 2021/22.
•	Council continued implementation of Council’s Social Strategy including the Cultural Plan, Sport
Other
   andInitiatives to enablePlan
        Active Recreation   Council   to achieve
                                and Health   and its goal for Plan.
                                                 Wellbeing    this theme
                                                                    Council completed a review of the
   Cultural Plan’s 2019 Action  Plan,  which demonstrated     85%
•	Noosa Council worked with local businesses through the Business  of the Roundtable
                                                                           actions weretocompleted  or
                                                                                          provide targeted
   well underway.
   economic         Council also
               development       endorsed
                            support         a 2020/21
                                      through           Action
                                               the COVID-19      Plan to progress
                                                               pandemic,           implementation
                                                                           both in the response andof the
   Cultural
   recoveryPlan.
             phases. This was a major focus in the 12 month period.
• Council COVID-19 support for the local economy and businesses included:
•	A major refurbishment of the Noosa Aquatic Centre was completed following a short closure.
   o	Working with the Business Roundtable with representatives from local business associations,
   The refurbishment included replacing the roof, timber decking and completing major pool
       State and Federal Government agencies and other key stakeholders. The group provided a
   maintenance such as tiling and re-grouting.
       forum for business support, advocacy and the distribution of COVID safe information for local
• Council adopted a Community Health and Wellbeing Plan and 12-month implementation plan.
       businesses.
•	The first stage of the pre-feasibility study for a Regional Art Gallery was completed. This
   o	Providing a subsidised Business Support Panel which offered mentoring and free specialist
   stage reviewed the existing Galleries’ strengths and weaknesses and engaged a consultant to
       business advice to affected businesses.
   investigate the needs, opportunities and priorities of a possible new Gallery. This study will be
   o	Implementing
   complete   by earlya2021.
                        9-point Business Recovery Framework to drive the post COVID economic
       recovery.
•	Council  has investigated contemporary options for outreach library services to replace the
   o	Providing
   existing Mobilefee    relief which
                      Library   to businesses   and the
                                       is reaching  organisations andlife.
                                                        end of useful  reducing    Council payment
                                                                           It is expected           terms
                                                                                           that the new   to 7
                                                                                                        service
   modeldays
          willfor
                belocal
                    fullysuppliers  to assist
                          implemented         their2021.
                                           by late  cashflow.
•	Master Plans
   Council’s     for thesupport,
             COVID-19    Noosa District Sports
                                 including     Complex
                                           subsidised     and the Cooroy
                                                      professional       Sports
                                                                   services panelComplex  were
                                                                                  and a partnership
   adopted   by Council
   with Business  Mentorsand implementation
                           Noosa,             plans
                                   was valued at    commenced including the preliminary civil works
                                                 $43,641.
•	design for the Grants
   The Economic    Noosa District
                          programSports  Complex.by the uncertainty of COVID restrictions and
                                    was impacted
   lockdowns. Council did provide $10,000 for a range of projects that support the local economy.
   2020/21 recipients included the Hastings Street Association, Cooroy Chamber of Commerce and
   Woman by Abby Rose.
•	Council improved communications with the business community via a direct bi-monthly Economic
   Development e-newsletter. Council’s business webpages were updated to provide a one-stop
   portal for local businesses including a business events calendar, grants information, Federal and
   State government support programs and local economic data and statistics.
•	The Economic Development team provided support to businesses and associations including
   one-on-one meetings to better help businesses navigate Council functions and requirements and
   providing guidance on strategic planning and the development of business plans. Council also
   welcomed the establishment of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce.




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