2021-06-08 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            8 JUNE 2021


C.    Offer the Foundation the remaining 3-year lease option to continue the use of the Council
      premises at 52 Doonella Street, Tewantin subject to the existing lease conditions and
      continuation of the informal arrangements for use of the premises by other community groups.
D.    Thank the NBRF members including current board members for their considerable volunteer
      efforts over the past 3 years.
Finance
Unlike previous Funding Deeds, Council does not guarantee any funding to NBRF in the new
Partnership Agreement. Each year NBRF will provide an Operational Plan with their requirements
for ‘operational expenses’ (as defined in the Agreement) to support Council’s decision-making
process. This requirement has been brought to the end of February, rather than the end of March,
to fit in better with Council’s annual budget process.
Risks & Opportunities
NBRF has consistently shown the ability to successfully leverage funds that Council provides and
over the past two years has been very active in working with the community on challenging issues,
primarily through their model of symposiums, of which there have been 3 in recent times: on koalas,
Glossy Black-cockatoos, and marine species. The current board has bought significant energy to
the group and there are great opportunities over the coming years for Council to partner with NBRF
to achieve significant outcomes aligned with the Noosa Environment Strategy.
NBRF have instigated alternative fundraising activities such as their annual fundraising Gala and
online campaigns to raise awareness with the view to garner support from locals, philanthropic trusts,
State and Federal Governments, and high-net-worth individuals both locally and internationally. This
approach aims to decrease the reliance on Council funding and to highlight the Noosa Community’s
commitment to environmental conservation and healthy sustainable lifestyle.
The proposed new funding arrangement ensures that any funded projects are approved by Council
and thereby removes the risk of the NBRF undertaking any projects that may not be aligned with
Council’s overall strategic direction. The process of annual funding consideration also gives Council
significant flexibility in the level of support provided to NBRF and reduces financial risk.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
NBRF - Council officers have worked closely with the NBRF Chair and nominated members of the
board in the development of this agreement, both the broad principles and detail. The draft
Partnership Agreement has the support of the NBRF board and was endorsed at their meeting of 14
May 2021.
A legal review of the draft agreement was undertaken by King & Company Solicitors. A range of
suggestions were provided and all suggestions were accepted and included in the final report. Some
further non-substantive changes were made, with the support of Council’s Governance team.
Internal Consultation
Departments/Sections Consulted:
 x   Chief Executive Officer       Community Services                       Corporate Services
     Executive Officer             Director                                 Director
     Executive Support             Community Development                    Financial Services
                                   Community Facilities                     ICT
                                   Libraries & Galleries                    Procurement & Fleet
                                   Local Laws                               Property
                                   Waste & Environmental Health             Revenue Services
 x   Executive Services        x   Environment & Sustainable Development    Infrastructure Services
     Director                  x   Director                                 Director
     Community Engagement          Building & Plumbing Services             Asset Management
     Customer Service              Development Assessment                   Buildings and Facilities
 x   Governance                    Economic Development                     Civil Operations
     People and Culture        x   Environmental Services                   Disaster Management
                                   Strategic Land Use Planning              Infrastructure Planning,
                                                                            Design and Delivery



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