2018-19 A Year in Review

Other Initiatives to enable Council to achieve its goal for this theme
 Council provided ongoing support to the  Council expanded the Bushcare program with
   Boomerang Alliance in their campaign for a                new volunteer groups being commenced at
   Plastic Free Noosa.                                       Rainbow Park, Elysium and Cooran Fodder
 Council agreed to enter into a partnership                 Farm - the first new Bushcare groups for many
   agreement with The Nature Conservancy (a                  years.
   major environmental organisation) to undertake  Council purchased a 51 ha property at Boreen
   a three year project to restore oyster reefs in the       Point through the Environment Levy program to
   Noosa River. This included funding from The               add to the protected environment estate. To
   Nature Conservancy of $1.2M with that funding             support our acquisition and environmental
   being matched by Council’s financial                      protection program, Council adopted Policy
   contribution.                                             Guidelines for Conservation Land and Private
 Council launched its Environment Grants                    Land Conservation Partnerships and Revolving
   program allocating funds towards community                Fund Guidelines in September 2018.
   projects that protect and enhance the Noosa  Council assisted in facilitating the 10 year
   environment. This entailed project grants for             renewal process for the Noosa Biosphere
   community organisations such as Noosa and                 Reserve recognition from UNESCO. A detailed
   District Landcare Inc, Mary River Catchment               and comprehensive submission was lodged
   Co-ordination Association Inc, Zero Emissions             with UNESCO via the federal government. This
   Noosa Inc and Reef Check Australia                        submission received positive feedback form the
   Foundation. Partnership funding was also                  relevant UNESCO committees and Council is
   provided to Noosa and District Landcare Inc               now awaiting formal advice following that
   and Noosa Integrated Catchment Association                process.
   Inc.                                                   Council passed a resolution declaring Noosa a
 Council installed lateral gas lines at Eumundi             “Coal Mining and Coal Seam Gas Extraction
   Rd Resource Recovery Centre to improve the                Free Shire” to make it clear that these activities
   capture of methane gas for flaring and reducing           are not in keeping with Noosa’s environmental
   the environmental impacts of methane gas.                 values.
 Council agreed to enter into a Memorandum of  Council has addressed a range of significant
   Understanding with Unitywater, Sunshine                   planning and environment applications during
   Coast Regional Council and Moreton Bay                    the last 12 months. During that period, Council
   Regional Council to explore options for an                approved 95.8% of these applications (459 out
   organic waste processing facility in the region.          of 479 applications were approved). Some of
   The project is ongoing with options currently             the more interesting town planning applications
   being considered by the project partners.                 considered by Council during 2018/19 included:
 Council undertook an inspection program for                o Residential subdivision at Mitti Street,
   environmental       compliance     at    industrial            Noosa Heads
   premises with good support from business                  o Proposed backpackers accommodation at
   owners. Council decided to undertake annual                    Mary Street, Noosaville
   inspections in future years with no financial             o Residential units at Garnet Street, Cooroy
   impost on businesses for the 2019/20 financial
   year.                                                     o Residence at Seaview Terrace, Sunshine
                                                                  Beach
 Council increased the number of properties
   participating in the Land for Wildlife program            o Visitor accommodation at Pinbarren
   from 288 to 314. Council also facilitated a               o Home based business at Cootharaba
   number of events to help celebrate the 20th               o Proposed changes to the RSL building at
   anniversary of the Land for Wildlife program.                  Tewantin.