2016-02-02 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             2 FEBRUARY 2016


Council offers a level of support to these groups through grants funding.

Community Group                  Extension services
Country Noosa              Promotes sustainable agriculture, horticulture and other rural
                             enterprises in the Noosa Hinterland through field days, workshops,
                             and social events to support and strengthen community cohesion.
                           The Country Noosa website connects interested people, allows them
                             to interact through a knowledge base and a marketplace, and links
                             them to the latest in rural news.
                           The website also provides a downloadable copy of the 1981 Noosa
                             Shire Handbook: An inventory of the Agricultural Resources and
                             Production of Noosa Shire Queensland - this handbook was used
                             by the officers of the Department of Primary Industries to assist them
                             in their planning of research and extension programs.
Mary River Catchment       Promotes a common view of a sustainable and productive catchment.
Coordinating               Partners with the Gympie District Beef Liaison Group, AgForce, the
Committee (MRCCC)            Burnett Mary Regional Group, Department of Agriculture and Forestry
                             to deliver the Reef Water Quality Grants Program in the Mary River
                             catchment.
                           Works with interested graziers to implement improved land
                             management practices to reduce the amount of nutrients, chemical
                             and sediments leaving their farms and impacting on Reef Water
                             Quality.
                           The MRCCC website is a resource for the coordinating committee
                             (including multiple-sector representation) and rural landholders. The
                             website is a portal for information on projects, events and threatened
                             species recovery initiatives.
Noosa and District         Promotes the value, protection and rehabilitation of the Noosa
Landcare                     Biosphere Reserve.
                           Encourages the adoption of best management practices and
                             sustainable land uses.
                           Assists in the preservation of water quality and ecosystem health in
                             the region.
                           Educates and raises awareness through community programs,
                             workshops and traineeships.
                           Provides a native plant nursery and environmental consultancy.
                           The N&DL website provides information on contract services, plant
                             sales, Waterwatch testing and volunteering opportunities.


Rural activities

Council does not currently offer extension services to rural landholders to improve rural land
management and protect the EVs of the Shire’s natural waters.

Therefore a greater level of support for the not-for-profit community groups mentioned
above, who have an interest and experience in providing this service, may be an appropriate
avenue for Council to do more to protect the water quality in rural areas.

These not-for-profit groups often deliver extension initiatives in conjunction with the Federal
and State governments, largely through regional bodies such as SEQ Catchments and the
Burnett-Mary Regional Body – the Reef Water Quality Grants Program is one such initiative.

There are synergies linking sustainable land management, the adoption of BMP for rural
activities, and Council’s conservation programs, notably the Land for Wildlife (LFW) Program
and the Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) Program.



                                                                                        Page 25 of 81