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FURTHER REPORT - CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE GRANTS (ROUND 6) (referred from General Committee dated 9 June 2026 Item 7.14) · Attachment 1 - Climate Change Grants 2026
Attachment 1: Climate Change Response Grants Recommended Projects FY26-27
Amount Total
Applicant Project Project Overview Alignment Summary
Requested Cost
• The application was scored highly by the evaluation panel and illustrates strong co-
contribution, with the total project value double the grant funding request.
• This project represents strong value for money, addressing a critically important
NBRF, in partnership with the Noosa component of the Climate Change Response Plan (to involve, engage and empower
Environmental Education Hub, will host the free, Youth as well as First Nations knowledge systems) that Council is currently not
youth-led Future Tide – 2027 Noosa Youth servicing due to capacity limitations.
Climate Summit at the J Theatre on 27 May • Climate change is an intergenerational justice issue. Youth are disproportionately
The Trustee for Future Tide -
2027. The event will empower young people to burdened by climate impacts (projected up to a sevenfold increase in exposure to
the Noosa 2027 Noosa
take practical climate action through youth $14,820.00 $29,668.00 extreme events ) and are already feeling the mental health effects associated with
Biosphere Youth Climate
keynote presentations, student-led sessions, climate anxiety (three in four young people say climate change is affecting their
Reserve Trust Summit
hands-on workshops and a sustainable careers wellbeing, safety or daily life ).
expo. It will also embed First Nations • This project has demonstrated success from historical events run in partnership
knowledge-sharing to highlight cultural with Council and will be delivered by an organisation that has demonstrated capacity
stewardship and deepen connections to Country. and capability.
•The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation has proposed to partner with the Noosa
Environment Education Hub who has a long track record of youth engagement and
education in schools across the shire.
• The application was scored highly by the evaluation panel and illustrates strong co-
Building on the Noosa eBike Library and Go Car contribution, with the total project value nearly triple the grant funding request.
Free Noosa, ZEN’s 2026–27 Swap the Drive • Sustainable and active transport is an important public health requirement in
initiative will promote cycling as a healthy, Noosa, as well as a necessity to reduce community emissions.
Swap the Drive: low-emission alternative for short local trips. The • This program improves access to low emissions transport, and encourages
Supporting program will provide 120 free two-week eBike behaviour change through practical, hands-on participation.
Zero Emissions
Modal Shift loans, deliver presentations and demonstrations $12,899.06 $37,762.06 • The program has demonstrated success since its launch in 2025.
Noosa Inc
from cars to on safe, legal and practical cycling, and run a • Support for ZEN Inc.’s e-bike library provides the Noosa community with the
bikes social media campaign encouraging everyday opportunity to try a variety of e-bikes before making purchasing decisions.
bike use. Activities will intensify around World • Recommended condition of funding for ZEN Inc to consider the merits of asking for
Car Free Day to boost awareness and a nominal fee or donation, or for include a question in their pre-loan survey that
participation. gauges future willingness to pay for two-week e-Bike Library rentals
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Attachment 1: Climate Change Response Grants Recommended Projects FY26-27
Amount
Applicant Project Project Overview Total Cost Alignment Summary
Requested
• The application was scored highly by the evaluation panel.
This project will update the Noosa Native Plants website • The project addresses increasing risks of climate change impacts on
to include climate-resilience information, helping biodiversity and urban green infrastructure, as well as helps to improve
residents choose native species suited to future household resilience due to the addition of climate-resilient gardens which
Urban Wildlife conditions and support urban greening. Working with provide heat, health and flood risk reduction benefits. The project is thus
Gardens (a Council and NRM partners, the project will assess around important to help the Noosa community with climate adaptation and
program by Get climate- 350 priority species using established climate-adaptation resilience.
Noosa ready with Noosa tools, update taxonomy and cultivation information, $11,150.00 $19,680.00 • The project is proposed by a credible, well-governed community group
Integrated Native Plants develop ecosystem-specific garden templates, and with a demonstrated track record of delivering credible, evidence-based
Catchment deliver workshops and outreach to encourage uptake. information and education to community.
Association) The result will give the community clear, accessible • The project includes community workshops demonstrating broader reach.
guidance to create biodiverse, water-efficient, • Recommended condition of funding to improve monitoring and
climate-resilient gardens that support local wildlife and evaluation, and to demonstrate stronger partnerships with consideration for
neighbourhood cooling. Kabi Kabi Land & Sea Rangers.
• Demonstrated strong benefit to those least able to participate in the
energy transition, and those who are under the most pressure from the
cost-of-living crisis.
This project will install solar on 10 low-income Noosa
• Energy equity is a critical component of Noosa’s climate response
homes, building on Council’s 2024–25 pilot that delivered
priorities and should be prioritised so the most vulnerable in the community
systems to 10 households. ZEN Inc will replicate a
are not left behind.
proven crowdfunding model to raise $25,000 from the
• Solar is one step towards being more climate ready, as long as the
community, with the grant contributing the remaining
inverters supplied are battery ready.
Zero Emissions Solar on Low- $10,000 of the $35,000 project cost. Donations will be
$10,000.00 $45,000.00 • This project builds on a successful trial and illustrates very strong co-
Noosa Inc Income Homes sought from supporters and the wider community and
contribution, with the total project value 4.5 times the grant funding
promoted (with permission) through media to boost
request. The use of crowd and donor sources of funding contributes to the
participation, supported by ZEN’s DGR status. The
objective of ZEN Inc. to build financial sustainability with reduced council
project provides an affordable, community-backed
support over time.
pathway to expand solar access for vulnerable
• Recommended condition of funding that all solar systems are battery-
households.
ready for future opportunities to build resilience to critical infrastructure
disruption.