Report - SEQ Regional Climate Resilient Alliance

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platform for regional solutions, knowledge sharing and economies of scale and helps avoid
duplication of effort across different local governments that are facing similar challenges.

There are already various collaborations underway between SEQ council's including the successful
Sunshine Coast and Noosa Regional Climate Action Roadmap project which has attracted $1.6
million in funding to date to advance climate resilience. The SEQCRA will formalise a regional
partnership on climate change for the broader region and provide a framework for applying for large
pools of funding to work collaboratively on priority projects.

Purpose
The purpose of establishing the alliance is to enhance the capacity of local governments to
accelerate emissions reduction and respond to climate risks through collaborative projects,
knowledge sharing and advocacy work at a regional scale. Climate change is already bringing more
frequent and extreme impacts to our region including storms, flooding, sea level rise, storm surge,
coastal erosion, droughts, heatwaves and fires. It is not a problem of the future, the impacts are here
and affect us now. Regional and collaborative solutions to tackle these risks and to address rapid
emissions reduction are vital.

Proposed Partnership Model
The proposed model is based on established climate alliances already operating in Australia. There
are eight climate alliances in Victoria, one in Far North Queensland, two in Western Australia and
one in Tasmania. All these climate alliances represent their regions via a formal agreement to work
collaboratively. They are all membership-based partnerships, coordinated by a shared resource who
is funded by membership fees, with a simple members-based governance structure, supported by
regional networks (ie. CoMSEQ, LGAQ). Members develop strategic plans to deliver collaborative
projects. For more information refer to Attachment 1 - Fact Sheet.

The proposed structure of SEQCRA will be an un-incorporated, membership-based partnership
formalised by an MoU agreement. It will have tiered membership fees, banded according to
population. Alliance governance will have two tiers: an Executive Steering Committee (Directors)
and a Coordination Committee (Sustainability Officers). All works will be supported by an Alliance
Coordinator, a host organisation and auspice – all yet to be determined.

Membership to SEQCRA involves:
   •   A signed MOU
   •   A commitment of 3 years membership
   •   Annual Fees
   •   Allocating one representative to Executive Steering Committee (meets quarterly)
   •   Allocating one representative to the Coordination Committee (meets monthly)
Interested SEQ members
SEQCRA relies on members to fund and establish the climate alliance. The following SEQ councils
are interested in becoming members. Their representative officers have been collaboratively
involved in the establishment process to date and are currently seeking approval for membership
from their respective councils.

   1. Brisbane City Council
   2. Ipswich City Council
   3. Lockyer Valley Regional Council
   4. Logan City Council
   5. Moreton Bay Regional Council

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   6. Noosa Council
   7. Redland City Council
   8. Scenic Rim Regional Council
   9. Sunshine Coast Council
   10. City of Gold Coast
Projects
Once established, SEQCRA will engage in collaborative regional projects to provide value to each
member and the region. Projects will aim for regional solutions to shared climate risks and to build
the capacity of each Council through collaboration. Climate Alliances work in three streams of
collaborative projects: joint regional projects, knowledge sharing projects and advocacy work.

Precedence has been set by other climate alliances in Australia that have delivered large-scale,
high-profile projects that have achieved economies of scale, cost savings, emissions reduction,
adaptation achievements and other region wide outcomes.

Examples of projects SEQCRA could undertake over the next 12-24 months are outlined in
Attachment 2 and include the following:

   •   Streetlight upgrades
   •   Network tariff review
   •   100% Renewable Power Purchasing Agreement
   •   Community education campaign
   •   Bulk buy community batteries
   •   Community emissions reduction
   •   Preparing for Environmental Upgrade Agreement’s to support businesses and residential
       owners with energy efficiency/sustainability upgrade works.

All members, including Noosa Council, will have the option of not participating in particular projects.

As a member, Noosa Council will also have the opportunity to suggest regional scale adaptation
initiatives and other projects not limited to the above list.

Membership fees
SEQCRA membership pays for the shared resource of an Alliance Coordinator and some project
work. The 2023-2024 annual membership fees structure is tiered according to municipal population
along the following population bands:

less than 50,000 people = $5,000
between 50,001 and 200,000 people = $10,000
between 200,001 and 500,000 people = $20,000
between 500,001 and 1,000,000 people = $30,000
greater than 1,000,000 people = $40,000

Accordingly, for FY 2023-2024 Noosa Council would pay a membership fee of $10,000. This has
been factored into the 2023-24 budget in readiness for this alliance commencing next financial year.

Value and Opportunity for Noosa Council

For the annual membership fee ($10,000) Noosa Council will join SEQCRA. Two Noosa Council

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representatives will sit on SEQCRA’s two governing bodies to steer regional direction, projects, grant
applications and other deliverables. As a collective SEQCRA will undertake collaborative projects
that will deliver outcomes unachievable by any one council working alone.

The benefits of membership for Noosa Council include:

      •   Access to large pools of funding
      •   Economies of scale through bulk buys, purchasing agreements and resource sharing
      •   Cost savings on joint projects
      •   Additional shared staff member to coordinate projects
      •   Access to expertise and best practice
      •   Support from other officers and reduced duplication of effort
      •   Enhanced adaptation, climate risk and emissions reduction outcomes through projects
      •   Benefits from increased regional coherence and coordination
      •   Consistent regional messaging
      •   Leverage and increased advocacy.

SEQCRA will form a strong platform for leadership discussions and regional advocacy. Leveraging
a regional voice has potential to provide increased value through influencing legislation reform at
State and Federal levels to ensure that policy supports councils’ transition to net zero, adaptation,
resilience and preparedness.
Previous Council Consideration
Nil

Finance
SEQCRA is a membership-based regional partnership. Membership to SEQCRA requires Council
resolution, allocation of funds and the CEO’s signature. The MoU asks for a 3-year commitment from
1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026.

For Financial Year 2023-2024 Noosa Council would pay a membership fee of $10,000. This has
been included in Climate Change budget request for 2023-2024.
Membership fees rise 2.5% annually to account for CPI inflation.

By signing the MoU Noosa Council would commit to the following annual fees:
2024/2025 $10,250
2025/2026 $10,506.
Risk & Opportunities
There is a risk that Noosa Council will not gain value from SEQCRA membership. This is unlikely,
because membership fees will fund a shared resource that will reduce the administrative burden of
project management and applying for grants. The benefits of being able to utilise the regional
coordinator offers promising value for Noosa Council.

There is a risk the Noosa employees will spend too much time on projects. Project management
support by the Alliance Coordinator will reduce this risk. Additionally, all members have a say in the
projects SEQCRA undertakes through its Governance Structure. Membership can ensure their
relevance and guide delivery methods. Noosa Council will have the option of not participating in
projects that do not demonstrate commensurate value. Projects that Noosa Council participates in

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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                                    9 MAY 2023


will have a direct link to the priorities and outcomes sought in the Noosa Climate Change Response
Plan.

Due to it’s infancy, the true value of SEQCRA is not yet evidenced through project outcomes. The
risk is also an opportunity for showing leadership and support for this regional collaboration. The risk
of SEQCRA not being established due to insufficient membership is also possible.

There are risks in not becoming a member of SEQCRA which includes reputational risk through
perceived lack of collaboration, and missed opportunities to pool and leverage resources and
achieve efficiencies through these processes.

Notably, collaborations with other local governments on climate change over recent years have
proved highly beneficial for Noosa Council. Benefits have already included sharing knowledge,
building capacity and capabilities, pooling resources, improved economies of scale, and reducing
duplication of effort. This alliance model provides great potential to drive positive change and action
within the organisation, across the region and at the local community level. The value of potential
gains through collaborative projects and knowledge sharing is likely to far outweigh the cost of
membership.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
The Q CRC funded Pilot Project led by Logan City Council enabled a working group to be established
to collaboratively design the proposed SEQ Climate Alliance. The working group has continued since
and is made up of sustainability officers from SEQ Councils who have internally consulted regarding
SEQCRA.
The working group comprises staff from:
     •     Brisbane City Council
     •     Ipswich City Council
     •     Redland Council
     •     Lockyer Valley Regional Council
     •     Moreton Bay Regional Council
     •     Logan City Council
     •     Sunshine Coast Council
     •     Scenic Rim Council.
Internal Consultation
Departments/Sections Consulted:

         Mayor                      Community Services                        Corporate Services

         Councillors                Director                                  Director

                                    Community Development                     Financial Services

 x       Chief Executive Officer    Community Facilities                      Fleet

         Executive Support          Libraries & Galleries                     ICT

                                    Local Laws                                Procurement

                                    Waste & Environmental Health              Property

                                                                              Revenue Services

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   Executive Services         Environment & Sustainable Development   Infrastructure Services

   Director               x   Director                                Director

   Community Engagement       Building & Plumbing Services            Asset Management

   Customer Service           Development Assessment                  Buildings and Facilities

   Governance                 Economic Development                    Civil Operations

   People and Culture     x   Environmental Services                  Disaster Management

                          x   Strategic Land Use Planning             Infrastructure Planning,
                                                                      Design and Delivery