2014-08-19 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda - Pages 102-155

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       19 AUGUST 2014


5) Existing website providers

The total cost is made up of $6,254 per year (per Council) depending on the service level agreement
agreed upon by all three Councils. A bi-annual report is produced by the website providers, costing
approximately $3,000 per report.

The program is due to have its three yearly evaluation in October 2014 this will be an additional cost of
$2000-$4000 per Council.

6) Is a regional program the most effective?

Advantages:                                            Disadvantages:
 Continued partnership with SCC & MBC                  MBC currently delivers the program, making a
   (Noting that the SCC will be reviewing their           financial contribution to its operation but
   approach to sustainability in line with their new      providing no staffing resource.
   corporate direction including the Living Smart       The three Councils are not contributing equally
   program).                                              with a reliance on SCC to co-ordinate the
 Consistent message going out to the whole of            program
   the Sunshine Coast (however the survey               Failure to intensively engage with current
   indicates that people prefer local information         members to complete the eight homes modules
   and workshops).                                        (the focus has been the number of registrations).
 Established brand with a vast amount of               Inadequate quantification of resources being
   information                                            saved by participants (energy, water and waste).
 It’s a free online program; incorporates a high       Current website structure is limited and overall
   level of interactivity and an option of attending      the website could be modernised (developed as
   face-to-face      workshops.     It    empowers        a three year resource to be intensively reviewed
   individuals to take action.                            by SCC in October/Nov 2014).
 A driver to actively assist the community in          Require agreement from two other Councils for
   living more sustainably                                changes to occur.
 Responsive website meeting local needs

Currently there is an overlap with the biosphere and LS programs, there is an opportunity to engage with
the community regarding residential sustainability rather than both continue to give similar messages saving
resources.

7) Is the program continuing to meet user expectations?

   Over the years Living Smart has delivered workshops to complement the online activities, providing a
    wide range of special interest and topical workshops for members, giving them access to hands on
    sustainable living learning. The latest survey results confirm that member’s favourite thing about the
    program is the workshops and events. Suggestions for improving the program include:
    - More frequent info emails/information/ newsletters
    - Reminders or prompts to complete modules (email campaigns and communications)
    - More workshops and events
    - A face book page, more info on social media
    - More local information, smaller amounts of information like tips that are achievable
    - Simplify the modules
    - More consistency, more frequent communication
    - More local case studies




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