2016-11-08 S&O Agenda - Item 3, Attachment 1 - Local Economic Plan

Section 39(4) of the LG Act provides that a local government is conducting a beneficial enterprise if
the local government is engaging in, or helping, the beneficial enterprise.

The previous 2014/15 period saw the finalisation of a long and carefully considered transition to
reshape the Noosa Biosphere®2 Reserve Management arrangements. This began on 20 January
2014 when Council endorsed the establishment of a working group, consultation with key
stakeholders, workshops, and calling of submissions from the community to review the
arrangements.

As outlined in Council’s previous Annual Report, at the Ordinary Meeting held on 29 May 2014,
Council resolved to wind up Noosa Biosphere Ltd as part of the transition to the new Noosa
Biosphere Reserve management model.
The new Noosa Biosphere Reserve management model included the establishment of the Noosa
Biosphere Reserve Trust (NBRT), a public trust approved as a charity with a company limited by
guarantee, and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd (NBRF), as the Trustee. Under the
new arrangements Council does not hold a controlling interest in NBRF or NBRT.

As part of the new arrangements Council indicated that it would provide funding for operational
costs together with funding to allow delivery of significant projects that meet the principal objects of
the trust, which include:
1. advancing the protection and enhancement of a significant aspect of the natural environment,
    being the natural ecosystems and biodiversity of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, and
2. advancing research, education and information about a significant aspect of the natural
    environment, being the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

In seeking to achieve the abovementioned principal objects of the Trust, the Trust may, without
limitation:
1. foster economic and human development that is environmentally and socially sustainable and
    culturally appropriate;
2. develop and implement a management plan for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve that is aligned
    with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (an Intergovernmental Scientific
    Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships
    between people and their environments3); and
3. monitor performance of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve and its reporting to UNESCO and the
    Noosa Community.

In 2014/15, Council entered into a funding deed with the NBRF until the end of 2017/18.

Business activities
A business activity is defined in Schedule 4 of the LG Act as “the trading in goods and services
by the local government”.

Council conducted the following business activities during the period:
     waste management, and
     operations of holiday parks including the Boreen Point Campground, Noosa North Shore
      Beachfront Caravan Park and Noosa River Holiday Park.



2
    Noosa Biosphere” is a registered trademark of Noosa Council
3
    United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Noosa Council Annual Report 2015/16                                                                       Page 25