2015-03-03 Planning & Organisation Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 3 MARCH 2015


EXECUTIVE OFFICE REPORTS
8    NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE MANAGEMENT - FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
     AND LEASE OF DOONELLA HOUSE
Author           Executive Officer, Narelle Reid
                 Executive Office

Index            ECM / Subject / Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation – Management;
                 Council Buildings & Leases; Application/Lease Ref # Cle15/0001

Attachments      1.    Draft Funding Deed, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Executive Officer to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 3 March 2015 and:

A.   Agree to enter into a funding deed with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd
     as proposed in Attachment 1 to the report;
B.   Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to make minor alterations to the Deed, as may
     be necessary, and enter into a formal agreement with the Foundation;
C.   Agree in principle to a one-off contribution of $10,000 being for the establishment and
     initial operating costs of a community based incorporated association that is aligned
     with the objects of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust, subject to no membership fees
     being charged until after the second annual general meeting;
D.   Apply the exception to the requirement for tendering under Section 236(1)(b)(ii) of the
     Local Government Regulation 2012 for the occupancy of part of Council owned
     premises located on Lot 1, RP96529 at 52 Doonella Street, Tewantin as the proposed
     lease is to a not for profit community organisation; and
E.   Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to enter into negotiations with the Noosa
     Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd and finalise a lease for part of Council owned
     premises located on Lot 1, RP96529 at 52 Doonella Street, Tewantin, for a period of 3
     years, with a 3 year option.



REPORT
The new management model for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve is based around a not-for-
profit Public Trust with a company limited by guarantee as the trustee.
As part of the arrangements Council indicated, through the public consultation process, that
it would continue to provide funding for operational costs together with funding to allow
delivery of significant projects that meet the objects of the trust.
For the new model to have the opportunity to be successful, it is considered that some
guarantee of funding is required to be put in place. This would enable the new board to have
a reasonable amount of time to establish and start achieving results aligned with the objects
of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust. It is intended that the amount of funding be subject
to Council decision as part of the usual budget process each year. At the end of the funding
period (4 financial years including the current year), the next Noosa Council will have the
opportunity to review the funding arrangement before the end of its term.




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