2021-03-09 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 9 MARCH 2021


8    DRAFT CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE PLAN

Author            Principal Strategic Planner, Rebecca Britton
                  Carbon Reduction Officer, Anne Nolan
                  Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index             ECM/Subject/Climate Change

Attachment        1.   Draft Climate Change Response Plan (50 page attachment provided
                       separately to this agenda)



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not Applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner and Carbon Reduction Officer to
the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9 March 2021 and approve the draft Climate
Change Response Plan for the purpose of community consultation, provided at Attachment 1 to
the report.

REPORT
This report brings forward the draft Climate Change Response Plan for approval for the purposes
of community consultation. The plan acknowledges Noosa’s long history of climate driven extremes
such as flooding, droughts, heatwaves and bushfires, and outlines the future challenges and
opportunities that climate change presents as these hazards become more frequent and severe.
The plan calls for a strong and unified response by Council and the community to take action to
ensure Noosa is well prepared for change and supports local jobs, industries and sectors that
invest in a zero emissions future.
The document details a 5-year plan that sets out the context, desired outcomes and actions for
addressing climate change in Noosa Shire in partnership with the community. The plan provides
overarching strategic direction, specific actions and targets for responding to climate change.
The objectives are to ensure:
    Key climate risks are understood and accepted by Council and the community
    Roles and responsibilities for addressing climate risks with Council and key sectors of the
     community are established
    Climate risks and emissions reduction are considered and responded to in a holistic and
     strategic way and embedded in decision making, policy and planning
    Opportunities arising from climate change for Council and the community are identified
    Collaborative approaches are considered and pursued for reducing emissions and adapting
     to climate change
    Implementation and outcomes of climate action and changing risks are monitored and
     regularly evaluated.
The plan is structured under 8 themes:
1.   Strong leadership and governance
2.   Energy efficiency and renewable energy
3.   Clean low emissions industries

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