2018-19 A Year in Review

   Our Noosa Aquatic Centre, Noosa Leisure Centre and The J all had outstanding years. In terms of
    numbers, the NAC had 240,893 visits which is just under last year’s number of visits, however the NAC
    closed in June 2019 for major scheduled maintenance of the pool, roof and deck structures. The
    Noosa Leisure Centre had 127,580 visits which is up 19.9% on last year but some of that increase can
    be attributed to extra visitors to the temporary library while the Noosaville Library refurbishment was
    underway. The J had 90,992 visits which is up nearly 4% on the previous year.
   Council took the lead on lobbying for reform to how electronic gaming machine approvals are managed
    in Queensland. Council was successful in gaining support for the Local Government Association of
    Queensland to lobby on behalf of Queensland councils for legislative reform. Council also joined the
    Gambling Alliance Reform Group – a group of like-minded councils across Australia lobbying for policy
    changes that would reduce the negative impact of gaming machines on local communities.
   Council continued to provide its community grant program supporting our community groups. During
    2018/19, we provided $769,455 in community grants to 147 recipients to support projects, acquisition
    of equipment or events. Council staff also facilitated a number of evening information sessions for
    community organisations to help improve their governance and grant writing skills. Details of the grant
    categories and amounts are set out below:
                                           Number of        Total grant
     Grant Type
                                           Recipients             value
                                                           $198,643.00
     Community Projects                         36
                                                            $49,947.00
     RADF                                       15
                                                            $85,418.63
     Alliance Agreements                        11
                                                            $21,627.11
     Emergency Alliance Agreements              2
                                                            $80,592.01
     Halls and Community Centres                10
                                                            $45,229.96
     Festive Season Events                      9
                                                            $44,738.00
     Signature Events                           5
                                                           $167,752.76
     Sports Fields                              11
                                                            $75,506.78
     Water Rebates**                            48
      Total                                    147         $769,455.25
    **plus community groups whose Water Rebates were subsidised through our Property Branch