2022-05-10 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                         10 MAY 2022


2    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION BY NOOSA CHAMBER
     OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY INC.

Author           Project Officer, Vicky Kottaras
                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/ Economic Development Grants 26.03

Attachments      1.    Noosa Chamber of Commerce & Industry Road Map & Strategy
                 2.    Letter of Support, Noosa Junction Association
                 3.    Letter of Support, Noosaville Business Association

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to provide background information and a recommendation regarding
the application to the Economic Development Grants Program from the Noosa Chamber of
Commerce & Industry Inc (the Noosa Chamber).

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Project Officer, Economic Development, to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 10 May 2022 and approve the Noosa Chamber of
Commerce & Industry Inc. application to the Economic Development Grants Program in the
amount of $30,000, to be paid in two instalments, with the following conditions:
A.   Payment 1 (June 2022) - $15,000 Paid upon agreement with the Chamber on:
     1.    Defined project plans that provide the pathway from objectives to outcomes;
     2.    KPI’s including membership and funding targets;
     3.    Removal of potential duplication with existing projects;
B.   Payment 2 (October 2022) - $15,000 upon presentation of a Progress Report including
     1.    KPI’s as agreed;
     2.    Outcomes achieved to date and how this translates to community benefit;
     3.    Copies of Minutes of the Chamber Committee Meeting to ensure governance and
           Committee management in order;
C.   Monthly Progress meetings with Chamber representatives and Economic Development staff
     in the first six months of the project, and then quarterly for the remainder of the grant program.

REPORT
The Economic Development Grants Policy endorsed by Council in November 2017 ‘supports the
delivery of the Local Economic Plan and enables collaboration and strategic partnerships between
Council, business representative groups and the business community’.
Please note that the former Local Economic Plan was used to assess this grant, as the new
Economic Development Strategy was not endorsed at the time of initial discussions regarding this
application.
Economic Development Grants are allocated to projects that align with Council’s Local Economic
Plan and deliver outcome driven projects that will positively impact the local business environment,
business community, and economy.
The Economic Development Grants Guidelines state that “Grants valued at over 30% of the original
Grants Program budget amount require approval by Council”.


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