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

Such a Sustainability Institute could serve as a focal point for sustainability efforts that involve
Council and the community, and further enhance new and existing partnerships with researchers
and other partners (such as the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation), leveraging technology,
platforms and networks (Digital Hub) to maximise information and data sharing, the uptake of
research findings and outputs and provide strategic direction(s) to research to maximise the benefit
to the Noosa region.


1.1         Benefits to Noosa
In addition to the major advantages outlined above, the establishment of a Sustainability Institute in
Noosa would benefit the Noosa community for example but not limited to the following number of
ways:
1. world leading sustainability practises developed by the institute initially trialled for suitability under
   local conditions that provide the best outcomes for the local community;
2. providing a mechanism through which the community can be engaged in and take responsibility
   for sustainability initiatives;
3. be a focal point to attract additional sustainable investment into the community;
4. help facilitate the selection, testing and communication of sustainability measures;
5. provide a means for at least one high profile university to establish a physical presence in Noosa;
6. facilitate active partnering and sharing between different researcher groups to improve research
   outcomes of individual and groups of projects;
7. enhance Science Technology English, Arts and Maths ( STEAM) activities with local schools;
8. reinforce Noosa’s brand as a leader in Sustainability – complimenting “ZEN” and other initiatives;
9. raise the profile of Noosa and potentially attract highly qualified professionals and their families
   into Noosa, potentially from all over the world;
10. potentially seed an innovative start-up community focused on sustainability technologies and
    solutions.




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