2019-05-07 P&E Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Sustainability Institute - Concepts and Options Report

Executive summary
This report provides the outcomes of the Stage 1 work for the initial assessment for the establishment
of a “Noosa Sustainability Institute”. The development of such a Sustainability Institute could provide
Noosa with an opportunity to take a leadership role in one or more aspects of global sustainability
research and development.
The aim of this Stage 1 project was to investigate other sustainability institutes already in existence
in Australia and internationally, how these institutes operate, and what factors of these institutes may
be of use for a “Noosa Sustainability Institute”. Other activities also undertaken in this stage included
interviewing Council staff and prominent local community members for their opinions and thoughts
on the value of a “Noosa Sustainability Institute”. A set of three potential models were then formulated
for consideration by the Noosa Council prior to going any further.
The on-line search of institutes identified a total of 54 sites that fitted the initial search terms and
from this initial group, nine international and seven Australian “Institutes” were selected for a more
detailed examination. The further analysis of the selected Institutes showed that there were two
major types, community-based institutes and institutes run by Universities. A third smaller group of
institutes were ones undertaken using a business-focused model run by a few like-minded people
providing sustainability services to local communities and councils. None of the institutes viewed
were considered to provide an absolute fit for a “Noosa Sustainability Institute” however, all had
characteristics that were considered to be suitable for inclusion into the models developed. The
Stage 1 activities also involved interviewing Council staff and an initial small number of local
community members for their input on the need and operations for a Noosa Sustainability Institute.
These interviews provided a range of perspectives which has been used for further inform the
possible requirements for such an Institute.
Using all of the information obtained above, three initial different models of a potential Institute were
constructed, from a basic model which merely organises the projects undertaken but does not
attempt to set research topics or direction, through to more complex models that, to different levels,
set research directions, call for projects, monitor research projects, handle research output data, and
facilitate research outcomes. All of the options have pros and cons that need to be considered in the
process of determining the most appropriate structure(s) for a Noosa Institute.
It is recommended that Council assess the merit of the three models provided and agree on
a manageable number of structural options to take to the next stage of assessment and
consultation. While three different model structures have been presented in this report, it should be
understood that further refinement of any selected model would be needed to provide an Institute
that meets the needs of the Noosa Community and Council. It should also be noted that there could
be possible opportunity to consider starting with a simpler model structure with an aim to develop
into a more complex but ultimately preferred Institute model as the Institute is developed.
Subject to consideration of Stage 1, it is intended that Stage 2 will provide more information and
assessment of the preferred model/models including wider stakeholder engagement to reach the
selection of a final appropriate Institute structure. Stage 3 would then undertake the development of
operating protocols and a business case.




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