ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) Inc. GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT (Referred from Planning & Environment Committee dated 10 October 2023 - Item 5.1). · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                           23 OCTOBER 2023


emissions by supporting the community in the transition to net zero emissions through project
leadership, advocacy, and the provision of information to all sections of the Noosa community. ZEN
Inc is a highly professional community group, with many of its volunteer members providing
professional knowledge and expertise in the area of electricity systems, community batteries, energy
efficiency, data analysis and sustainable transport.

ZEN Inc. has two overall goals:
   1. Promoting community actions to achieve net zero emissions
   2. To be a sustainable organisation
ZEN Inc is project based, action orientated and data driven. To achieve Goal 1, ZEN Inc has
focussed on the two largest sources of Noosa's community emissions, namely stationary energy
(electricity) and transport. It has successfully implemented numerous projects including Solar for
Strata, Community batteries, Race to Zero and ZENDURO school education, the highly successful
EV Expo, continuing education and data analysis via their website, newsletters, social media and
community forums, continued advocacy for Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs), walking
and cycling initiatives and Electrify Everything. All these projects are in line with Council's Climate
Response Plan. ZEN Inc has been supported in these projects via Council's Climate Change
Response grants and and the EV Expo MOU.

ZEN Inc actively seeks funding for projects from other sources. ZEN Inc was successful in a grant
from the Qld Dept of Environment and Science to develop a Business Plan for a network of batteries
across Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc also received funding for the Seeds of Change Project from Sandy
Bolton MP. ZEN Inc has successfully achieved tax deductible status for donation and actively seeks
out donation opportunities.

Members of ZEN Inc are also active members in Council's Climate Change Response Community
Reference Group and have participated in other Council initiatives such as the Biz to Zero forum.

To achieve its Goal 2 to be a sustainable organisation, ZEN Inc has set four objectives, namely
increased financial sustainability, efficient organisational operations, effective communications and
strong relationships. To date, Council has provided $18,000 per year through the Alliance Grants to
assist ZEN Inc with its administrative costs. This has enabled ZEN Inc to employ a coordinator on a
part time basis for one day per week.

ZEN Inc produces annual reports which are publicly available on their website detailing their projects,
initiatives and financial status. ZEN Inc also develops an annual strategic plan.

In order for ZEN Inc be a sustainable organisation, it requires the assistance of a full time coordinator.
The role of the coordinator is to undertake the administrative duties for the organisation, including
applying for grants, growing the membership and strengthening its internal operations and shoring
up its governance. This will enable volunteers to concentrate of ZEN Inc's strategic projects to
reduce Noosa's community emissions..

ZEN Inc Partnership Agreement
Council recognised the importance and the contribution that ZEN Inc. makes to implementing
Council's Climate Change Response Plan and moving towards net zero emissions for the Shire. As
such in the 2023/24 Council Budget, a new initiative was approved to enter into a three year
partnership funding agreement with ZEN Inc.

The three year Partnership Agreement is provided in Attachment 1. The Agreement between Noosa
Council and Zero Emissions Noosa Inc, covers the following:
   •   The term of the Agreement
   •   The funding arrangements and conditions