2022-02-08 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              8 FEBRUARY 2022


2    NOOSA ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION YEAR TWO ANNUAL UPDATE

Author           Environmental Services Manager, Shaun Walsh, (Acting)
                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/ 21.44 Environment Strategy / Biodiversity Plan

Attachments      1.   Noosa Environment Strategy – Year Two Implementation Progress.
                 2.   Summary of Outcomes from Environmental Grants 2020/21FY.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following report and attachments have been prepared to provide an update on the
performance of the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 inclusive of:
-    The Noosa Environment Strategy Implementation Plan 2019, which is a three-year plan
     containing a number of projects or actions intended to initiate progress towards the targets
     in the Noosa Environment Strategy.
-    Summary of Outcomes from the Environment Grants 2020/21 FY, a key part of performance
     of the Noosa Environment Strategy.
-    A draft Environment Strategy Monitoring Report comparing performance against the twelve
     targets outlined in the Noosa Environment Strategy. The strategy was envisaged to have a
     ten-year life and contains targets which are monitored and reported on every two years. This
     is the first time a monitoring report has been prepared
These reports and attachments show the status of the Noosa Environment Strategy and
Implementation Plan as at June 30, 2021 which is the end of the second year of the strategy life.
The delay in reporting was due to disruptions caused by the departure of the former Environmental
Services Manager and business disruption caused by COVID-19.
The report and attachments highlight the areas of these plans that are performing well but also
shows numerous areas where there is still work needed to get some projects off the ground and/or
establish baseline data for effective monitoring.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Acting Environmental Services Manager to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 08/02/2022, providing the year 2 annual report on the
implementation of the Noosa Environment Strategy.


REPORT
At the June 2019 Ordinary Meeting, Noosa Council endorsed the Noosa Environment Strategy &
Implementation Plan. The Noosa Environment Strategy is the key strategic policy document for
Council related to our environment and the way we live within it. The Strategy identifies key
strategies, outcomes and measurable targets that guide decision-making and support prioritisation
of investment over the 10 year life of the strategy.
The Strategy provides a clear monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework for the Strategy that
consists of;
•    Annual reporting on the progress of specific implementation actions associated with the
     Environment Strategy.
•    Biennial reporting against the 12 targets identified in the Environment Strategy, to measure
     the success of the Strategy’s implementation.


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