ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE GRANTS - ENVIRONMENT PROJECT GRANTS (ROUND 21), CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE GRANTS (ROUND 6) · Report

Page 2

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              9 JUNE 2026


        ii. $12,899.06 to Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. for the Swap the Drive: Supporting Modal Shift
            From Cars To Bikes program;
        iii. $10,000.00 to the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association Inc. for the Get Climate-
             ready with Noosa Native Plants project; and
        iv. $10,000 to Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. for the Solar on Low Income Homes project.


REPORT
Environment Project Grants
The Environment Project Grants Program is funded by the Environmental Levy and supports the
implementation of the Noosa Environment Strategy, as well as Council’s other key environment
strategies and plans. The Environment Project Grants Program is designed to enable collaboration
with the community in initiatives that work towards the outcomes and targets identified in the Noosa
Environment Strategy. All initiatives funded by the Environment Project Grants Program must have
tangible and measurable outcomes. The current total FY26/27 budget for the Environment Project
Grants is $35,000.

Nine applications were received for the current round for a funding request totalling $162,282. In
accordance with the Environmental Grants Guidelines each application was assessed by a panel of
three officers against the following criteria:




Climate Change Response Grants
Climate Change Response Grants are included under the Environment Grant Policy to assist in the
implementation of the Climate Change Response Plan, the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan and
the Regional Climate Action Roadmap. The current total FY26/27 budget for the Climate Change
Response Grants is $50,000.00. Unlike the Environment Grants program, the Climate Change
Response Grants are funded by general rates.

Nine applications were received for the current round for a funding request totalling $145,753. It is
noted that the calibre of grants received in this round was strong and represented both actions to
reduce emissions (which cause climate change) and adapt to the growing impacts by building
resilience. The projects all reflected well against the themes of the Climate Change Response Plan.

In accordance with the Climate Change Grant Guidelines each application was assessed by a panel
of three officers against the following criteria:

Page 3

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              9 JUNE 2026




Applications for both grant streams were open from 9 February 2026 until 23 March 2026.

Promotion for the grants included:
   •   Social media advertising
   •   Specific email to all non-for-profit community groups previously applied for the grants or may
       be interested in applying for the grants
   •   Direct conversations with NRM Groups, sustainability groups and community groups to
       ensure awareness
   •   Details published on Noosa Council’s website
Both grants required the applicant to engage with a relevant Council officer prior to submitting the
application.

This round of grants introduced more robust governance enhancements to improve defensibility,
objectivity and transparency of the evaluation process. To ensure the integrity of the program, the
assessment methodology was executed in four phases:
   •   Phase 1: Probity and Conflict of Interest (COI) Screening
        o   Upon receipt of applications, all assessing officers from the Strategy & Environment
            directorate completed mandatory COI declarations. To eliminate any real or perceived
            bias, officers with a declared COI, or those who had engaged with applicants prior to
            submission, were strictly excluded from the assessment process.

   •   Phase 2: Technical Expert Review
        o   Before panel evaluation, subject matter experts conducted an initial technical appraisal
            of each application. This ensured all proposed projects were rigorously vetted for
            technical validity, execution capacity, quality, relevance, and risk management.

   •   Phase 3: Cross-Disciplinary Panel Evaluation
        o   To maximise objectivity, independent three-member panels were established for each
            grant category, deliberately structured to include cross-branch representation. The
            Environment Project Grants panel comprised two Environment Services officers and one
            Strategy & Sustainability officer, while the Climate Change Response Grants panel

Page 4

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                               9 JUNE 2026


            reversed this ratio. Including an evaluator from outside the core subject area prevented
            siloing and provided independent, critical scrutiny.

   •   Phase 4: Independent Scoring and Executive Moderation
        o   Panel members scored applications individually and independently against the
            established criteria. These scores were subsequently collated and subjected to a formal
            moderation review by leadership staff within the Strategy & Environment directorate to
            ensure scoring consistency, fairness, and alignment with strategic objectives.
Recommended Projects for Funding
A summary of the grant assessment recommendations are provided below:

Environment Project Grants
   •   Fully fund two applications received totalling $24,129.16.
   •   Partially fund one application receive totalling $10,870.84
For further information regarding the applications and individual funding recommended refer
to Attachment 1.

Climate Change Response Grants
   •   Fully fund four applications received totalling $48,869.06.
For further information regarding the applications and individual funding recommended refer to
details below along with Attachment 2.

Four projects have been recommended for funding based on thorough assessment against the
evaluation criteria, community benefit and Council priorities. Staff have also identified a number of
minor conditions that would be required for each successful applicant to implement during project
delivery.

Council staff will reach out individually to the five unsuccessful applicants in this program and work
with them on their projects to improve identified gaps in their applications and see how they can be
supported through other existing programs and opportunities to meet the need that has been
articulated.

Overall, most applications scored highly against the relevant grant criteria and Noosa Council was
grateful for the time invested by applicants to apply for the Environment Project and Climate Change
Response Grants.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No 1 - Environment
Focus areas include the natural environment, built environment, waterways and coasts and
conservation and heritage.
Objective 1.1 – Maintain and improve water quality and the health of waterways, wetlands and
catchments
Objective 1.2 – Partner with landowners and community groups to manage, protect and regenerate
natural environment assets and improve resilience
Objective 1.5 – Deliver expanded vegetation networks, rehabilitation and habitat across the Shire
Objective 1.6 – Partner with the community to improve water quality and environmental outcomes
through whole-of-catchment management
Theme No. 2 - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
Objective 2.6 – Facilitate strong, vibrant and inclusive communities where people have a sense of

Page 5

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              9 JUNE 2026


belonging and are active participants in community life
Objective 2.8 – Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of communities
Theme No. 4 - Future
This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to
ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and
adaptation, sense of place and destination management.
Objective 4.7 – Fund and implement the Climate Change Response Plan to support Council,
community and the local economy to build resilience and preparedness for climate risks
Objective 4.8 – Deliver best practice approaches to plan for and respond to climate change and
natural hazards




Previous Council Consideration
Nil.


Finance
Funding for the recommended projects has been allocated in the draft versions of the 2026/27
budget.
•      The Environment Project Grants Program is funded through the Environment Levy, with a total
       allocation of $35,000 for this funding round.
•      The Climate Change Response Grants Program is funded through general revenue, with a total
       allocation of $50,000 for this funding round.
The total funding recommended for allocation under this round is:
•      Environment Project Grants: $35,000
•      Climate Change Response Grants: $48,869.06
Projects recommended for funding represent a prioritisation of available funds and have been
selected to maximise environmental and community outcomes within the approved budget. Given
that funding requests significantly exceeded available allocations, not all applications could be
supported.


Risk & Opportunities
                                                                             Residual
                           Risk          Existing                                     Appetite
Risk Description                                            LikelihoodImpact Risk
                           Category      Controls                                     Compliance
                                                                             Rating
                                         Application
Risk that funded                         assessment
applicants are unable to                 criteria; pre-
deliver agreed project     Service       application officer
outcomes due to            Delivery /    engagement;
                                                             Unlikely   MediumMedium Yes
insufficient capability or Financial /   selection of
resources, resulting in Reputation       demonstrated
reduced environmental                    capability; grant
or community benefit                     agreements and
                                         milestones

Page 6

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                         9 JUNE 2026


Risk of misallocation or               Funding
misuse of grant funding                agreements;
caused by inadequate Financial /       acquittal
financial controls within Legal /      requirements;    Unlikely     MediumMedium Yes
recipient organisations, Reputation    staged payments;
resulting in financial loss            monitoring and
or reputational impact                 reporting
Risk that funded projects
do not achieve intended               Assessment
environmental or climate              against outcomes
                          Environment
outcomes due to poor                  and feasibility;
                          / Service                     Possible     MediumMedium Yes
project design or                     officer guidance;
                          Delivery
external factors,                     monitoring and
resulting in reduced                  reporting
program effectiveness
                                       Formal
Risk of perceived lack of              assessment
transparency or fairness               criteria; panel
in grant allocation       Reputation / assessment;
                                                          Unlikely   MediumMedium Yes
process resulting in      Governance conflict of interest
reputational impacts and               declarations;
reduced community trust                documentation of
                                       decisions
Risk of conflicts of                  Mandatory COI
interest not being                    declarations;
                         Legal /
adequately identified or              exclusion of
                         Governance                        Rare      High   Medium Yes
managed, resulting in                 conflicted officers;
                         / Reputation
governance breach and                 governance
reputational damage                   oversight
Risk that high demand                   Transparent
for funding exceeds                     guidelines; clear
available budget,          Reputation / communication of
resulting in unsuccessful Service       limited funding; Likely      MediumHigh    Yes
applicants and potential Delivery       competitive
dissatisfaction within the              assessment
community                               process
Risk that funded climate
                                     Alignment criteria;
initiatives do not align
                                     officer
with broader Council
                          Governance engagement prior
strategies due to
                          / Service  to submission;      Unlikely    MediumMedium Yes
inconsistent
                          Delivery   panel review
interpretation, resulting
                                     against strategic
in reduced strategic
                                     documents
value
Risk that projects are                 Funding
delayed or not                         agreements;
completed within agreed                project
timeframes due to       Service        timeframes;
                                                         Possible    MediumMedium Yes
external factors        Delivery       progress
(weather, approvals,                   reporting;
staffing), impacting                   extension
delivery timelines                     provisions

Page 7

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                            9 JUNE 2026


Risk that environmental
or climate conditions                   Flexible project
change (e.g. extreme                    scope; adaptive
                            Environment                             Possible   MediumMedium Yes
weather events)                         delivery; officer
impacting project viability             support
or outcomes
Risk of administrative                       Established grant
burden on Council               People &     processes;
resources to manage             Culture /    standardised
                                                               Possible        Low      Low          Yes
and monitor grants,             Service      templates;
impacting internal              Delivery     experienced staff
service delivery                             management


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Applicants were encouraged to consult with Council officers prior to submission to ensure project
alignment and eligibility. Advice and support were provided where required throughout the
application period.
Internal Consultation
An internal assessment panel comprising relevant officers from the Strategy and Environment
Directorate undertook the evaluation of applications.

Briefings and/or workshops were undertaken with Councillors to provide an overview of applications
received, assessment outcomes and recommended funding allocations.

Departments consulted:
     Office of the CEO, Mayor &               Community Services                     Corporate Services
             Councillors
 x    Mayor & Councillors                   Director                            Director
 x    Chief Executive Officer               Community Connection                Financial Services
      Executive Officers                    Sport & Active Lifestyles           Revenue Services
      Community Engagement                  Arts & Culture                      ICT
      Governance                            Customer Experience                 Procurement

                                                                                People & Culture
      Strategy & Environment                Development & Regulation             Infrastructure Services
 x    Director                              Director                            Director
 x    Strategy & Sustainability             Development Assessment              Civil and Asset operations
      Economic Development          &                                           Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                            Local Laws
      Destination Management                                                    and Delivery

Page 8

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                 9 JUNE 2026


 x   Environmental Services     Environmental Health   Waste
     Innovation & Digital Hub   Building & Plumbing    Building & Facilities
     Commercial Property        Property / Permits     Disaster Management

                                                       Fleet