2022-02-08 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                8 FEBRUARY 2022


methodology for prioritization of works allowing for more efficient and effective delivery of works.
Reserves are assessed and ranked based on a range of attributes including Biodiversity Value,
Waterway Value, Carbon Sink Value, Social Value, Cultural Value, and likelihood of success. This
ranking then determines the resource allocation and service level for each of Council’s Bushland
Reserves.
Provision of Green Waste Bins.
Green waste bins were made available to residents in this reporting period. This has significantly
reduced the amount of organic waste entering landfill with 16,000 tonnes of green waste being
diverted and processed for consumer use in the 2020/21 FY.
Reducing Council’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
New vertical wells have been installed and gas capture has increased significantly. Staff are in
ongoing discussions with LMS energy for future emission reduction opportunities. 640 kW of solar
have now been installed on Council buildings, energy efficiency projects such as LED lighting
replacement and A/C upgrades are ongoing.
Expansion of Council’s Conservation Partnerships initiatives.
A report outlining the success of community participation in voluntary conservation programs,
including Community Bushland Care, Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreements
was presented to the Planning and Environment Committee on 7 December. This report presented
participation data which outlined consistent strong community interest and rapid growth across the
programs, Community Bushland Care and Land for Wildlife in Particular.
Summary of Outcomes from Environmental Grants 2020/21 FY
This report also includes a summary of environmental outcomes arising from the Environmental
Grants program (see Attachment 2). This information has been gathered from the grant acquittal
process and shows significant outcomes. This process of including a summary of grant outcomes
is proposed to be imbedded in the annual reporting on the Noosa Environment Strategy as an
ongoing obligation.
Improvement Areas
Areas for improved focus include ongoing work in implementing the 10-year strategy include:
-    Environment and sustainability forums with community partners (disrupted due to COVID)
-    Threatened species management
-    Integrated water monitoring program
Noosa Environment Strategy Monitoring Program
The development of a draft inaugural environmental monitoring program for the Noosa
Environment Strategy is near completion. The intention of this program is to record and report on
progress on the 12 key environment performance metrics using currently available data over the
10 years of the Environment Strategy. The draft monitoring program will be circulated in the coming
fortnight for iterative feedback prior to formal presentation to Council.
Previous Council Consideration
The Planning and Environment Committee Meeting on the 8th of September 2020 considered the
Year 1 annual update for the Noosa Environment Strategy Implementation Plan.
Finance
The Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 and supporting Implementation Plan is a funded program.
Budget bids are being considered for additional resourcing for the FY 2022/23 in the following
areas to maintain and improve performance:
-    Wildlife management including threatened species.
-    Community Bushland Care support

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