2019-05-07 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            7 MAY 2019



3     NOOSA SUSTAINABILITY INSTITUTE – STAGE 1 REPORT

Author            Director Environment & Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings
                  Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index             ECM/ Subject/ Sustainability Institute Data 61

Attachments       1.    CSIRO Stage 1 report - Noosa Sustainability Institute
                  2.    Addendum to CSIRO Options & Potential Structures Report
                  (Note: Both attachments have been provided separately to this report)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides the findings from Stage 1 investigation into the concept of establishing a
‘’Sustainability Institute’’ in Noosa. CSIRO undertook the initial analysis work across numerous
national and international sustainability institute models and cases studies to identify success
factors, governance and funding structures of these models and pitfalls to avoid.

Council officers subsequently established a summary of a range of local examples, institutions
and organisations already engaged in research and action around sustainability.

This additional work identified that there is already a significant amount of activity, investment,
research and action occurring around sustainability, and that what is lacking is coordination of
this effort, collation of data and research, shared access to research and outcomes, clear
strategic direction and strategic identification of key sustainability challenges and general
awareness.

The result of the first stage investigation has identified that there is an opportunity for Council to
coordinate and collaborate on the range of action and research already taking place across the
Shire and region.

The report recommends that Council continue to advance the concept of a Sustainability Institute
and that the next step is to establish a coordinated approach to previous and existing research
and activity occurring in our community and region towards sustainability through a range of
actions and initiatives.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Environment & Sustainable Development to the
Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 7 May 2019 and:
A.    Note the Stage 1 report undertaken by CSIRO titled ‘Noosa Sustainability Institute -
      Defining a World Class Sustainability Research Institute in Noosa - Options and Potential
      Structures’ (provided as Attachment 1) and the Addendum to the report summarising local
      examples of sustainability focussed organisations, action and research (provided as
      Attachment 2);
B.    Endorse advancing this concept through the identification of existing sustainability activity,
      research and action including consideration of establishing a portal/repository for research
      and outcomes and creating a network across all those already in the space;
C.    Undertake further engagement and consultation with key local organisations, institutes,
      community members and experts in this space to advance the idea and further identify
      activity and research that should be captured, and
D.    Report back to Council at a future meeting on progress and potential next steps.


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