2022-05-10 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       10 MAY 2022


The primary cost associated with this application include:
     20/hrs week project administration support – email management, event management and
      promotion, email marketing, web site edits, social media posts
     Project Management of the Chamber’s membership growth strategy including software;
      development of a tiered membership model including value add benefits program;
      establishment of a professional development series; alignment of membership
      communication channels (software, website, social integration).
     Development of revenue diversification plan.
3.    Assessment
Two independent assessments of the grant application against the stated criteria and the specific
responses provided to the direct questions posed in the application form were undertaken and the
recommendation below has Director Approval.
A strong and well connected Chamber of Commerce could be an asset to the business
environment in Noosa, as a conduit into and out of Council's Economic Development Unit. A strong
alliance with a supportive Chamber could also be beneficial to the delivery of key outcomes in
Noosa Council's new Economic Development Strategy, Smart Biosphere.
Whilst the grant application was assessed against the Local Economic Plan 2016-2021, it also
supports the first three of four enablers in the new Economic Development Strategy:
1.    Bold Leadership
2.    Encourage Entrepreneurship
3.    Empowering Ecosystems ‘and
4.    Enabling Infrastructure.
From a risk mitigation (to Council) perspective the application itself did not clearly translate the
objectives and pathways from the Strategic Plan to the deliverables and did not succinctly articulate
the specific benefits and outcomes of the project. These risks and some duplication of effort with
existing Council projects were not clearly considered in the grant application.
4.    Recommendation
Council Officers support the intent of the application in the context of the Noosa Chambers strategic
plan and accept that Council seed funding is a critical step in their pathway to success and in
building an independent and sustainable funding model.
Accordingly, full funding of this application is recommended to Council, but conditional on the
Chamber providing more information on how it will ensure that the desired outcomes and
community benefit are achieved.
It is recommended that the Funding Amount of $30,000 is paid in two instalments to the Chamber
of Commerce with special conditions attached to each milestone payment.
Overall Conditions
The Chamber will be responsible for the delivery of the following outcomes:
     50% Increased membership in year 1 with 80% retention rate
     Increased member participation and engagement through events,                   surveys    and
      communication
     Secure $7000 of sponsorship funds across the next 12 months
     Increased positive presence in external media
     Work with Council officers to complement actions
Special Conditions
Payment to be made in two instalments:
     Payment 1 (June 2022) - $15,000 Paid upon agreement with the Chamber on:

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