Annual Report 2015-16

Corporate Plan Priority 5 – Establishing new policies and strategies
As a Council, we will need to develop a range of policies and strategies that set the path for future
Councils. There are a number of strategies and policies to be reviewed and developed that will set
the strategic direction for the future.

Key achievements include:
 Council’s new Local Laws came into effect on 1 July 2015 with a smooth transition.
 A number of background studies have been undertaken in preparation for the development of
   the new Planning Scheme.
 Council fine-tuned its Community Grants Policy and established a better process for receiving
   and assessing community grant applications.
 Council adopted a new Social Strategy for Noosa. This included the establishment of a
   community reference group and using the outcomes of the Noosa Demographic Profile. An
   implementation plan has been developed and funding provided in the 2016/17 budget for the
   first phase of implementation. This Strategy has four long term development goals:
   o A cohesive and resilient community
   o An active and healthy community
   o An accessible, diverse and affordable community
   o A creative and informed community
 Council adopted the Noosa Local Economic Plan. More details on this can be found under
   priority 7.
 Council adopted a set of sustainability principles that guide the development of numerous
   strategies. All Council strategies will now incorporate a focus on long term sustainability.
 Council adopted a Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan following community consultation.
 Council adopted a Koala Conservation Plan following community consultation and an
   implementation plan has also been developed following community consultation.
 Council adopted an Environment Levy Policy to provide guidance on the management and
   expenditure of Environment Levy funds.
 Council adopted a Business Continuity Policy to ensure Council’s services are maintained
   throughout any disruption and a Fraud and Corruption Policy to protect Council’s assets,
   interests and reputation.

Corporate Plan Priority 6 – Custodianship of Noosa’s environment
Noosa has a long and proud environmental record. Our Council will continue to apply best practice
to its custodianship of Noosa’s natural environment aiming to enhance local biodiversity for the
benefit of future generations.

Key achievements include:
 Council is developing a series of bushland reserve plans and the first of these, at Tewantin, is
   well underway with significant community consultation. More funds are set aside in the
   2016/17 budget to develop more bushland reserve plans.
 Council’s Environment Levy Working Group continues to identify potential land purchases
   under the Environment Levy. Following its recommendation, Council made a major
   Environment Levy purchase in 2015 through the acquisition of an environmentally significant
   parcel of land with Noosa River frontage at Cooroibah a cost of $2.7M.
 Council commenced its second Green Army project with a focus on weed removal in bushland
   reserve areas.
 Council is working with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, the Thomas Foundation and
   University of the Sunshine Coast on a project in the Noosa River and is assisting with obtaining
   the necessary State approvals so that an Oyster restoration project can proceed.

Noosa Council Annual Report 2015/16                                                           Page 9