Annual Report 2014-15

Discretionary funds
Section 109 of the LG Act, defines discretionary funds as funds in the local government’s
operating fund that are:
     Budgeted for community purposes; and
     Allocated by a Councillor at the Councillor’s discretion.
There were no Councillor discretionary funds established during the period.


Beneficial enterprises
Section 39(3) of the LG Act defines a beneficial enterprise as an enterprise that a local
government considers is directed to benefiting, and can reasonably be expected to benefit, the
whole or part of its local government area.

Section 39(4) of the LG Act provides that a local government is conducting a beneficial enterprise if
the local government is engaging in, or helping, the beneficial enterprise.

For the previous period, Council reported Noosa Biosphere Ltd as a beneficial enterprise.

The 2014-15 period saw the finalisation of a long and carefully considered transition to reshape the
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management arrangements, which began on 21 January 2014 when
Council endorsed; the establishment of a working group, consultation with key stakeholders,
workshops, and calling of submissions from the community to review the arrangements.

At the Ordinary Meeting held on 29 May 2014, Council resolved to wind up Noosa Biosphere Ltd
as part of the transition to the new Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management Model.

The new Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management Model included the establishment of the Noosa
Biosphere Reserve Trust (NBRT), a public trust approved as a charity with a company limited by
guarantee, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd (NBRF), as the Trustee.

As part of the new arrangements Council indicated that it would provide funding for operational
costs together with funding to allow delivery of significant projects that meet the principal objects of
the trust, which include:
1. Advancing the protection and enhancement of a significant aspect of the natural environment,
    being the natural ecosystems and biodiversity of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve; and
2. Advancing research, education and information about a significant aspect of the natural
    environment, being the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

In seeking to achieve the abovementioned principal objects of the Trust, the Trust may, without
limitation:
1. Foster economic and human development that is environmentally and socially sustainable and
    culturally appropriate;
2. Develop and implement a management plan for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve that is aligned
    with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (An Intergovernmental Scientific
    Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships
    between people and their environments2); and
3. Monitor performance of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve and its reporting to UNESCO and the
    Noosa Community.

2
    United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Noosa Council Annual Report 2014/15                                                                       Page 21