2019-03-12 P&E Agenda - Item 7 - Attachment 1 - NBRF FY17-18 Annual Report

                                                    NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE FOUNDATION - 2017/18




Reporting Checklist

Last year, we wrote a short simple annual report that focused on achievements rather than factual reporting. A
very useful checklist of further requirements was developed by the NSC CEO and NBRF Chair from questions
posed by Councillor Jackson. We have used the checklist throughout this report and hope any gaps have been
adequately covered.

Board of Directors / Members

Michael Gloster retired from the Board in May and we thank him greatly for his input to NBRF. Scott Williams,
a past Chair, stepped in as a casual Director and has given a major contribution to our work. The decision was
taken to advertise publicly for 3 new Directors which was implemented in 2018/19 and was very successful.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the Directors for their hard work, expertise and team working
throughout the year.

In addition, I would like to thank our Members for their help and advice during the year and attendance at the
AGM looking back at 2016/17.

NBRF Strategy and Project Funding

A large amount of time was spent in the last part of the year discussing with Council the next Funding Agreement
and the strategy for NBRF. It was agreed that Noosa Shire Council are responsible for the overall management of
the Biosphere and the “Mab” UNESCO program. The majority of the levers are under Council control.

The role of the NBRF has always been to bring forward “big ideas” and to get them implemented. Previously, we
have got the ideas and projects via community grants rounds. Under the new three year agreement, the NBRF
itself is charged to research and identify the big ideas and then action them. Undoubtedly, there will be significant
community engagement in these projects both in their identification and implementation. On this new basis, a
three year funding agreement was signed. Specific needs will be reviewed each year. There will be increasing
fundraising activity to continue the excellent leverage we have been achieving and reduce the proportion of
Council funding.

Operational Funding

We are particularly grateful that Council have agreed to continue our operational funding. This allows us to really
leverage the expertise and limited resources of the volunteer Board. Rather than use the budget to fund a single
executive, we have chosen to acquire smaller amounts of time from specific experts. This is working very well for
us. We have many opportunities to get project funding from grants, philanthropists etcetera but it is very difficult
to find funds for core support. This support allows NBRF to concentrate on delivering “big ideas” projects.

Communication

In 2017/18 we have dramatically increased our communication program particularly around our grants program,
our projects in hand and our approach. We have enlisted the services of a Communications expert on a part time
basis and this is proving very successful.

In Summary

2017/18 has been a challenging year for NBRF on many fronts but it is clear that we have raised our game,
actioned some great community projects, communicated better with all parties, and risen to the challenge from
Council to generate big ideas ourselves and make them happen.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Councillors and staff of Noosa Shire Council for the support they
have given NBRF in 2017/18 and, in particular, for the help and encouragement they have given me in my first full
year as Chair.