Annual Report 2014-15

   A number of background studies and assessments have been undertaken in preparation for the
    development of the next Town Planning Scheme. This includes the Noosa Demographic Profile which
    was published in the first half of 2015.
   Council undertook a review of its Community Grants Policy and established a process for assessing
    community grant applications. Council also adopted a Festive Season Grants Policy and a Street
    Performance Policy.
   During 2014/15, substantial progress was made on establishing a new Social Plan for Noosa. This
    included the establishment of a community reference group and using the outcomes of the Noosa
    Demographic Profile. The Social Plan is on track for completion by the end of 2015.
   The Noosa Design Principles Document was finalised in 2014/15. This document will help guide future
    design in Noosa (both public and private infrastructure) and sets out key principles to guide the look and
    feel of Noosa into the future.




Corporate Plan Priority 6 – Custodianship of Noosa’s environment
Noosa has a long and proud environmental record. Our Council will continue to apply best practice
to its custodianship of Noosa’s natural environment aiming to enhance local biodiversity for the
benefit of future generations.
Key achievements include:
   Establishment of the new management arrangements for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation
    (NBRF). The NBRF Board has been appointed and the necessary memorandum of understand and
    funding arrangements put in place. The NBRF has commenced operations from Doonella House and
    NBR have employed an Executive Officer. The community based Incorporated Association has been
    established.
   Council established a significant number of environmental policies in 2014/15. These included:
    o   Noosa Shire Koala Policy; and
    o   Tree Management on Public Land Policy.
    The Council also adopted an Environment Levy Policy and established an Environment Levy Working
    Group to review potential land purchases under the Environment Levy.
   Following community consultation, the Council adopted a number of plans to manage environmental
    issues. These included:
    o   Noosa Pest Management Plan; and
    o   Noosa Bushland Reserve Fire Management Plan.
   Council commenced its first Green Army project in early 2015 with a focus on weed removal in bushland
    reserve areas.
   Council began a program to audit bio-retention basins – both Council owned and privately owned bio-
    retention basins. This audit will be completed in the 2015/16 financial year.
   Council invested in the installation of power correction equipment to reduce electricity consumption at
    five major Council sites. As well as saving costs, the equipment reduces electricity consumption
    resulting in carbon reduction.
   The ongoing impact of the bat colony at Wallace Park has continued to be monitored with the number of
    bats increasing substantially at times during the year. There has been considerable impact on local
    residents but no easy solution appears to be available based on experience elsewhere and scientific
    evidence. Consultants will be considering options under a management plan in late 2015.
   Council jointly funded a number of research projects on the Noosa River with The Thomas Foundation.
    The projects are being undertaken by The Nature Conservancy and include an analysis of historic fishing
    records and a trial of oyster sites for future oyster regeneration.




Noosa Council Annual Report 2014/15                                                                   Page 8