2015-09-15 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              15 SEPTEMBER 2015


Council has a strong history of addressing emissions reductions and energy efficiency, including:
  In 2001 Noosa Council joined the Cities for Climate Protection program committing itself to
    sustainable reductions in GHG emissions of both its operational and community sectors.
     In 2002 Noosa Council committed to reducing both community and Council’s operational
       sectors emissions by 20% below the baseline levels of 1996 and 2000 by 2010.
     In 2003 Council developed the Noosa Shire Greenhouse Management Action Plan to deliver
       the above target. It included a range of actions including buildings upgrade, biodiesel project,
       water & sewage improvements, purchasing of green power, Street lighting upgrade, planning
       scheme, information dissemination, ecoBiz, Living Smart program amongst others.
     During amalgamation Council developed a Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil
       Strategy with supporting policy documents to achieve its targets: Carbon Neutral Plan and
       an Energy Transition Plan.
     The Noosa Biosphere also prepared a Noosa Climate Action Plan: Preparing Together 2012.

These strategies acknowledged that the environment, economy and social aspects of our
community are all interconnected. They also recommended actions that took effect across both
Council and the Community.

2.     Council’s Role

Council can have significant influence over activities responsible for increased emissions. Council
in its operations can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by establishing objectives and undertaking
actions to reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency. For example increased use of solar
energy, waste reduction and recycling, and identifying energy efficiencies in how programs and
services are delivered to the community.

Council in its legislative and leadership role can positively influence emissions through strategic
plans and activities relating to land use planning, transport strategies, waste strategies, long term
infrastructure plans, building style, agriculture and natural landscape conservation.

Council can also play a lead role in influencing community behavioural change by supporting the
community in taking action, including:
 Leading by example and inspiring change
   Communication, education and capacity building
   Facilitating change and working in partnership with other agencies and arms of government
   Measuring and monitoring
   Allocating resources.

3.     A Carbon Reduction & Energy Efficiency Plan for Noosa Shire

Two Councillor workshops have been developing sustainability principles with a focus on building
resilience and community engagement with the end goal of an empowered community working
towards sustainability. The development of a Carbon Reduction and Energy Efficiency Plan will
focus on actions and outcomes primarily relating to energy resilience. Whilst the broader elements
of sustainability beyond the carbon reduction and energy efficiency context are also very important
to Council and the success of this Plan, achievement of sustainability core aims is better delivered
through other Council strategies and activities including Council’s sustainability principles, the
Local Economic Development Plan, the Noosa Social Plan and major strategies currently under
development such as the Transport Strategy and review of the Noosa Planning Scheme.




                                                                                     Page 159 of 189