Meeting papers

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                         6 OCTOBER 2026


7.2.4       ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) Inc. ALLIANCE AGREEMENT


Author            Climate Change Officer, Sion Zivetz
                  Strategy & Sustainability | Strategy and Environment
Index             21.43 - Carbon Emission Reduction - Community ( Zero Emissions Noosa )
                  ( ZEN )
Attachments       1.    Attachment 1_ZEN Inc Alliance Agreement 2026-2029
                  2.    Attachment 2 2026-27 ZEN E Operational Plan
                  3.    Attachment 3 2026-27 ZENTAG Operational Plan
                  4.    Attachment 4 ZEN Impacts Visual
                  5.    Attachment 5 ZEN collaborations at a glance
                  6.    Attachment 6 Comms at a glance
                  7.    Attachment 7 ZEN Inc. Alliance Agreement Annual Report 2025
                  8.    Attachment 8 ZEN Strategy 2026-2029
                  9.    Attachment 9 ZEN’s GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES 2027-2029
                  10. Attachment 10 2026 EV Expo Report


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Zero Emissions Noosa Incorporated (ZEN Inc.) is an incorporated, not-for-profit, community
organisation with the key objective of delivering a cleaner and more affordable Noosa through the
reduction of community emissions. ZEN Inc is supported by professional and dedicated volunteers
that undertake data driven, on ground projects, advocacy, and education to the wider Noosa
community to reduce stationary electricity and transport related greenhouse gas emissions across
the Shire. The projects and activities of ZEN Inc align with objectives and actions in various Council
endorsed strategies and plans, particularly Council's Corporate Plan and Climate Change Response
Plan.

In December 2023, Council executed a three-year alliance agreement providing support to ZEN Inc
for operational expenses from 2023 to 2026. Through Council’s annual budget process, ZEN Inc
were subsequently allocated $65,000 in FY23/24, $125,000 in FY24/25, and $125,000 in FY25/26.
The alliance funding has been primarily used by ZEN Inc for program support staff that enable the
organisation to deliver projects, events and engagement programs for community aligned to
Council's strategies and plans.

In its FY26/27 budget, Council allocated continued financial support ($148,000) to support Zen Inc
with operational expenses including:
   •    A part-time program and projects manager and a part-time administrative coordinator which
        provide administrative oversight, governance, member management, and assistance in the
        acquisition of alternative sources of funding;
   •    Administrative duties, communications and media, community outreach and project
        coordination for the EV & Electrify Everything Expo; and,
   •    As ZEN Inc continues to expand its core business offerings, the alliance funding would also
        enable the continuation of the part-time Business Energy Advisor that supports Noosa Shire




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