2016-12-06 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                            6 DECEMBER 2016


6    MEMORANDUM     OF UNDERSTANDING     -                   ZERO      EMISSIONS       NOOSA
     COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP


Author            Executive Officer, Narelle Reid
                  Executive Office

Index             ECM/ Subject/ Carbon Emission Reduction - Community

Attachments       1.   MOU Zero Emissions Noosa Collaborative Community Partnership


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Executive Officer to the Planning & Environment Committee
Meeting dated 6 December 2016 and endorse Council being a signatory to the Memorandum
Understanding - Zero Emissions Noosa Collaborative Community Partnership dated 9 November
2016 (provided at Attachment 1 to the report).


REPORT
A number of community organisations have commenced working together with the goal to
achieve zero net emissions in the Noosa Shire by 2026 through effective engagement with the
community, industry and government. The impetus for the groups getting together came from
the visit to Noosa on 26 May 2016 by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) a not-for-profit
internationally recognised climate solutions think tank.

The aim is to develop a joint understanding of the current sources and level of emissions in the
Noosa community and potential responses to reduce them. The intent is that within the scope of
each partner organisation they will develop joint plans, policies and projects to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is community generated emissions (residents, business &
industry) as opposed to the emissions generated by Council through its operations.

In lieu of forming a separate incorporated community organisation it was felt that the various
groups could work together taking a collaborative approach through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). The partnering groups include Noosa Country Inc., Central Queensland
University, Noosa and District Landcare Inc., Noosa Community Biosphere Association Inc.,
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Noosa Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Noosa
Integrated Catchment Association Inc., Noosa Junction Traders Association Inc., Noosa Shire
Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc., Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Tourism
Noosa, University of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Shire Council.

Due to the timing of the launch of the community partnership initiative and signing of the MOU
falling between Council’s scheduled meetings it was not possible to obtain a prior Council
resolution to authorise the signing of the document. Informal feedback was obtained from
Councillors who supported the Mayor being a signatory on behalf of Council in advance of a
formal resolution. It is appropriate that the MOU now be formally endorsed by Council.




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