2019-08-15 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                                15 AUGUST 2019


   Council is continuing to implement its Zero Emissions Strategy focused on achieving net zero
    emissions by 2026. Council has rolled out the installation of over 1,100 solar panels across major
    Council buildings. Other energy efficiency initiatives have included retrofitting light fittings. These
    actions have already reduced Council’s emissions and significantly reduced electricity costs.
    Solar has been installed at the following locations:
    o Tewantin Administration building
    o Noosaville Depot
    o Noosa Leisure Centre
    o Pomona Depot
    o Cooroy Library
    o Noosa Aquatic Centre
    o The J
    o The Respite Centre

   Work on our Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan has continued in 2018/19. This included
    significant media coverage and school education sessions. Council also opened its Education
    Centre at the Eumundi Rd Resource Recovery Centre to support the education and behavior
    change of students and community members regarding waste management, re-use and
    recycling.
   Council has successfully prepared for the introduction of the State government $70 per tonne
    landfill levy that commenced on 1 July 2019.
   Council signed binding contracts with the State
    government, HQPlantations and the Noosa Parks
    Association for the protection and restoration of
    major parts of the Yurol and Ringtail Forest areas.
    This is the most significant environmental project in
    recent years and will see almost 2,400 ha of land
    transition to protected conservation tenure over the
    next 10 years providing regional scale
    environmental connectivity, particularly for koala
    corridors. This project has also won both a State
    and National Local Government Award for
    Excellence in Collaboration.

Other Initiatives to enable Council to achieve its goal for this theme
 Council provided ongoing support to the Boomerang Alliance in their campaign for a Plastic Free
   Noosa.
 Council agreed to enter into a partnership agreement with The Nature Conservancy (a major
   environmental organisation) to undertake a three year project to restore oyster reefs in the Noosa
   River. This included funding from The Nature Conservancy of $1.2M with that funding being
   matched by Council’s financial contribution.
 Council launched its Environment Grants program allocating funds towards community projects
   that protect and enhance the Noosa environment. This entailed project grants for community
   organisations such as Noosa and District Landcare Inc, Mary River Catchment Co-ordination
   Association Inc, Zero Emissions Noosa Inc and Reef Check Australia Foundation. Partnership
   funding was also provided to Noosa and District Landcare Inc and Noosa Integrated Catchment
   Association Inc.
 Council installed lateral gas lines at Eumundi Rd Resource Recovery Centre to improve the
   capture of methane gas for flaring and reducing the environmental impacts of methane gas.




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