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ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) Inc. GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT · Report
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 OCTOBER 2023
5.1 ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) INC. GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT
Author Carbon Reduction Officer, Anne Nolan
Environmental Services Department
Index Subject/21.43 - Carbon Emission Reduction - Community ( Zero Emissions
Noosa ) ( ZEN )
Attachments 1. Attachment 1 - ZEN Inc Grant Agreement 25 Sept DRAFT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Zero Emissions Noosa established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit, community
organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero emissions
in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field in Noosa
and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across the
Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. is supported by highly professional and dedicated volunteers that undertake
data driven, on ground project, advocacy and education to the wider Noosa Community to reduce
electricity and transport greenhouse gas emissions across the shire. These activities are in line with
Council's Corporate Plan and Climate Change Response Plan.
In its 2023/24 Budget, Council has allocated partnership funding to enable ZEN Inc. to support the
volunteer organisation with some capacity and project support through an employed coordinator.
This role is intended to encompass an array of responsibilities including administrative oversight,
governance support, member recruitment facilitation and assistance in grant application procedures.
This will enable ZEN Inc to focus its effort on project execution, thereby augmenting Noosa's
collective mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This report provides a concise overview of ZEN Inc.'s noteworthy accomplishments in aiding the
Noosa Shire's reduction of community greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with an overview of the
proposed three-year Partnership Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Carbon Reduction Project Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 regarding Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN)Inc and:
A. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to execute the Partnership Agreement
2023-2026 provided at Attachment 1 to the Report;
B. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to make minor changes to the Partnership
Agreement 2023-2026 prior to execution;
C. Note the annual funding contribution will be determined at annual budget considerations.
REPORT
Background
Zero Emissions Noosa Inc (ZEN Inc), established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit,
community organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero
emissions in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field
in Noosa and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across
the Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. seeks to make Noosa Shire a leading local government region in zero
emissions by supporting the community in the transition to net zero emissions through project
leadership, advocacy, and the provision of information to all sections of the Noosa community. ZEN
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 OCTOBER 2023 Inc is a highly professional community group, with many of its volunteer members providing professional knowledge and expertise in the area of electricity systems, community batteries, energy efficiency, data analysis and sustainable transport. ZEN Inc. has two overall goals: 1. Promoting community actions to achieve net zero emissions 2. To be a sustainable organisation ZEN Inc is project based, action orientated and data driven. To achieve Goal 1, ZEN Inc has focussed on the two largest sources of Noosa's community emissions, namely stationary energy (electricity) and transport. It has successfully implemented numerous projects including Solar for Strata, Community batteries, Race to Zero and ZENDURO school education, the highly successful EV Expo, continuing education and data analysis via their website, newsletters, social media and community forums, continued advocacy for Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs), walking and cycling initiatives and Electrify Everything. All these projects are in line with Council's Climate Response Plan. ZEN Inc has been supported in these projects via Council's Climate Change Response grants and and the EV Expo MOU. ZEN Inc actively seeks funding for projects from other sources. ZEN Inc was successful in a grant from the Qld Dept 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 Sandy Bolton MP. ZEN Inc has successfully achieved tax deductible status for donation and actively seeks out donation opportunities. Members of ZEN Inc are also active members in Council's Climate Change Response Community Reference Group and have participated in other Council initiatives such as the Biz to Zero forum. To achieve its Goal 2 to be a sustainable organisation, ZEN Inc has set four objectives, namely increased financial sustainability, efficient organisational operations, effective communications and strong relationships. To date, Council has provided $18,000 per year through the Alliance Grants to assist ZEN Inc with its administrative costs. This has enabled ZEN Inc to employ a coordinator on a part time basis for one day per week. ZEN Inc produces annual reports which are publicly available on their website detailing their projects, initiatives and financial status. ZEN Inc also develops an annual strategic plan. In order for ZEN Inc be a sustainable organisation, it requires the assistance of a full time coordinator. The role of the coordinator is to undertake the administrative duties for the organisation, including applying for grants, growing the membership and strengthening its internal operations and shoring up its governance. This will enable volunteers to concentrate of ZEN Inc's strategic projects to reduce Noosa's community emissions.. ZEN Inc Partnership Agreement Council recognised the importance and the contribution that ZEN Inc. makes to implementing Council's Climate Change Response Plan and moving towards net zero emissions for the Shire. As such in the 2023/24 Council Budget, a new initiative was approved to enter into a three year partnership funding agreement with ZEN Inc. The three year Partnership Agreement is provided in Attachment 1. The Agreement between Noosa Council and Zero Emissions Noosa Inc, covers the following: • The term of the Agreement • The funding arrangements and conditions • Reporting Requirements
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 OCTOBER 2023 • Intellectual Property • Obligations of each Party • Indemnity • Termination of the Agreement • Dispute Resolution • General Provisions • Insurances Entering into this three year agreement with ZEN Inc. will provide ongoing financial security to employ a coordinator to enable the organisation to continue to enhance projects which align with Council's Climate Response Plan to assist the Noosa community achieve net zero emissions. Link to Corporate Plan Theme No. 4. - Future This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and adaptation, sense of place and destination management. Objective 4.7 Fund and implement the Climate Change Response Plan to support Council, community and the local economy to build resilience and preparedness for climate risks and to achieve net zero emissions by 2026. Signature Projects Advance the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Regional Climate Action Roadmap Previous Council Consideration Special Meeting, 20 June 2023, Item 2.6, Council Resolution 1 That pursuant to section 104 of the Local Government Act 2009 and section 170 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, the budget for the financial year ending 30 June 2024, incorporating statements of income and expenditure, financial position, cash flow, changes in equity, long-term financial forecast, revenue statement and revenue policy, and 2023/24 capital program as contained in the Noosa Council 2023/24 Budget document (provided as Attachment 1 to the Special Meeting report dated 30 June 2023), be adopted. Finance In its 2022 Annual Report, ZEN Inc volunteers donated 79,00 hours of in-kind time, to a total value of $350,000 (based on a minimum $44/hour). Funding for the ZEN Inc Three Year Partnership Agreement is provided within Council's Operational Budget and will be reviewed on an annual basis in line with Council's budgetary cycle. Risk & Opportunities Risks The risks to Council of entering into this three year partnership agreement are low. ZEN Inc. has an established track record of completing projects on time and on budget. The projects undertaken by ZEN Inc. align with Council's Corporate Plan and the Climate Change Response Plan and Environment Strategy. Opportunities
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 OCTOBER 2023
Entering into a three year partnership with ZEN Inc. provides Council with considerable opportunities
for engagement with the Noosa Community to reduce emissions and enhance its resilience through
the continued valuable contribution of ZEN Inc.'s growing volunteer base. Providing financial security
to ZEN Inc. will enhance its ability to obtain funding sources, and provide a significant multiplier effect
to Council's investment.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Zero Emissions Noosa Inc provided feedback which has been incorporated in the draft Partnership
Agreement (Attachment 1)
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
Office of the CEO, Mayor & Community Services Corporate Services
Councillors
Mayor & Councillors Director X Director
Chief Executive Officer Community Development Financial Services
Executive Officers Sport & Active Lifestyles Fleet
Community Engagement Arts & Culture Revenue Services
People & Culture Community Connection ICT
Governance Customer Experience Procurement
Commercial Property
Strategy & Environment Development & Regulation Infrastructure Services
X Director Director Director
X Strategic Land Use Planning Development Assessment Infrastructure Planning,
Design and Delivery
Economic Development & Local Laws Civil and Asset operations
Destination Management
Environmental Services Environmental Health Waste
Innovation & Digital Hub Building & Plumbing Building & Facilities
Property / Permits Disaster Management