Annual Report 2015-16

   Council has provided funds for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation to facilitate a series
    of projects including work on Koala mapping, Oyster restoration in the Noosa River and long
    term reduction of sediment in the Kin Kin Creek catchment. This funding has been enhanced
    through the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation model which has seen a “multiplier effect”
    with additional funding and University research support being attracted to these projects.
   The future management arrangements for the Noosa River are being advanced following the
    outcomes of the second Community Jury. Council has also developed a new Noosa
    Hydrodynamic Model for the lower Noosa River. Council undertook work on a number of
    erosion projects including Weyba Creek and Munna Point. The Noosa River continued to
    maintain the highest rating (A-) throughout SEQ waterways.
   We began to trial electric equipment in our day to day operations such as an electric quad bike
    at the Botanical Gardens as well as electric brush cutters and chainsaws.
   Council has adopted an Emission Reduction Policy and is working with Beyond Zero Emissions
    on measuring our Carbon output as a first step in that process.
   Council has been undertaking a program to audit bio-retention basins – both Council owned
    and privately owned. The audit of Council owned bio-retention basins has been the first priority
    and is substantially complete.
   The flying fox colony at Wallace Park was monitored with the number of flying foxes fluctuating
    substantially at different times during the year. Council adopted a management plan and while
    some actions were undertaken during the year, the flying foxes have come and gone from that
    site as part of their natural cycle.
   The new cell 2.2 at the Eumundi Road Resource Recovery Centre has been commissioned
    and began accepting waste on 26 February 2016.
   The Waste Management Contract 2017-2024 tender documentation has been prepared with
    tenders advertised on 1 July 2016.
   A significant amount of work has been undertaken to establish the Electric Bus trial. The trial
    was delayed due to supplier issues and will commence in 2016 / 2017.

Corporate Plan Priority 7 – Diversification of our economy
While recognising our world class tourism industry, the Council will also focus on diversifying the
economy with an emphasis on “smart economy” businesses and rural futures.

Key achievements include:
 Council adopted the Noosa Local Economic Plan following extensive consultation via a
   Community Focus Group. A report by AEC analysing the Noosa Economic Profile has also
   been published.
 During 2015/16, Council continued to have a very close working relationship with Tourism
   Noosa. We jointly developed the Noosa Sporting Facilities Guide which is designed to attract
   events and sporting groups to Noosa. This was launched in March 2016.
 Council adopted a Masterplan for the Rufous Street site at Peregian Beach following an
   extensive community consultation process including a design charette. The development has
   been approved and preparation is underway for a funding application to the Commonwealth
   and State governments.
 The Council developed RV Park at Cooroy opened, including a waste dump facility, and
   appropriate management arrangements were put in place. The RV Park will encourage more
   visitors to visit and stay in Cooroy.
 During 2015/16, support was provided to encourage the ongoing development of the ICT
   sector in Noosa. Council was a partner in an innovation networking event and a sponsor of the
   GovHack event. We also provided data sets to the GovHack event.




Noosa Council Annual Report 2015/16                                                         Page 10