Meeting papers

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                         10 OCTOBER 2023


5.1     ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) INC. GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT


Author              Carbon Reduction Officer, Anne Nolan
                    Environmental Services Department
Index               Subject/21.43 - Carbon Emission Reduction - Community ( Zero Emissions
                    Noosa ) ( ZEN )
Attachments         1.   Attachment 1 - ZEN Inc Grant Agreement 25 Sept DRAFT


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Zero Emissions Noosa established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit, community
organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero emissions
in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field in Noosa
and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across the
Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. is supported by highly professional and dedicated volunteers that undertake
data driven, on ground project, advocacy and education to the wider Noosa Community to reduce
electricity and transport greenhouse gas emissions across the shire. These activities are in line with
Council's Corporate Plan and Climate Change Response Plan.


In its 2023/24 Budget, Council has allocated partnership funding to enable ZEN Inc. to support the
volunteer organisation with some capacity and project support through an employed coordinator.
This role is intended to encompass an array of responsibilities including administrative oversight,
governance support, member recruitment facilitation and assistance in grant application procedures.
This will enable ZEN Inc to focus its effort on project execution, thereby augmenting Noosa's
collective mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


This report provides a concise overview of ZEN Inc.'s noteworthy accomplishments in aiding the
Noosa Shire's reduction of community greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with an overview of the
proposed three-year Partnership Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Carbon Reduction Project Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 regarding Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN)Inc and:
      A. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to execute the Partnership Agreement
         2023-2026 provided at Attachment 1 to the Report;
      B. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to make minor changes to the Partnership
         Agreement 2023-2026 prior to execution;
      C. Note the annual funding contribution will be determined at annual budget considerations.


REPORT
Background
Zero Emissions Noosa Inc (ZEN Inc), established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit,
community organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero
emissions in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field
in Noosa and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across
the Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. seeks to make Noosa Shire a leading local government region in zero
emissions by supporting the community in the transition to net zero emissions through project
leadership, advocacy, and the provision of information to all sections of the Noosa community. ZEN



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