2015-12-14 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                               14 DECEMBER 2015


Component C: A parallel project proposed by Noosa and District Landcare, and partly funded
by Noosa Parks Association, the Thomas Foundation and NICA, involves an assessment of
erosion prone areas in the Kin Kin Creek catchment to determine current sediment inputs into the
Noosa Catchment and identify priority areas for riparian restoration. The objective of this work is
to reduce the overall sediment load in the system that currently hinders the growth of oyster reefs
and seagrass beds, which provide habitat for fish and prawns.

The financial details of this project are as follows:

     Cash required to fund the project over 4 years                   $679,804
     In kind/volunteer inputs                                         $793,147
     Total value of project:                                        $1,472,951

     Cash inputs proposed are as follows:
     Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation                               $441,304
     University of the Sunshine Coast                                 $118,500
     Thomas Foundation                                                 $75,000
     Noosa Parks Association                                           $45,000
     Total cash inputs:                                               $679,804



The NBRF grant of $441,304 would be paid progressively over 3 years as follows:

       University of Queensland                                     $157,804
       University of the Sunshine Coast                             $283,500

If the Foundation is to fund all five projects, including the “River Project”, an additional $210,000
of Council funding would be required in 2016/17 and $150,000 in 2017/18.

The ‘River Project’ is an important initiative for the region which raises the bar in terms of
conservation and river management nationally. It will produce many benefits including shared
learnings and fill many knowledge gaps. The proposed project partnerships are noteworthy and
their financial contributions to the project are significant.

Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting, 22 October 2015, Item 5, Page 11
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting
dated 19 October 2015 and advise the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Board that Council:
A.    Supports the Board considering expressions of interest that have been submitted to the
      Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation as part of their grant process, where those
      expressions of interest relate to potential projects that require funding beyond 20 June
      2016;
B.    Notes that the Board cannot provide final approval for any multi-year projects until it
      receives Council’s approval pursuant to section 4.2 of the Funding Deed and requests the
      Board to seek that approval in due course; and
C.    Will consider funding for future financial years of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation
      as part of the Council’s annual budget process in accordance with the funding agreement.




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