Open Council is in active development and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Noosa Council. The data shown may be incomplete or incorrect — always check Council's own published documents before relying on it.

Open Council Noosa
Sign in

ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA (ZEN) INC. GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT (REFERRED FROM PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE DATED 10 OCTOBER 2023 - ITEM 5.1).

Carbon Reduction Officer, Anne Nolan · Environmental Services Department

Executive summary

Zero Emissions Noosa established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit, community organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero emissions in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field in Noosa and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across the Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. is supported by highly professional and dedicated volunteers that undertake data driven, on ground project, advocacy and education to the wider Noosa Community to reduce electricity and transport greenhouse gas emissions across the shire. These activities are in line with Council's Corporate Plan and Climate Change Response Plan. In its 2023/24 Budget, Council has allocated partnership funding to enable ZEN Inc. to support the volunteer organisation with some capacity and project support through an employed coordinator. This role is intended to encompass an array of responsibilities including administrative oversight, governance support, member recruitment facilitation and assistance in grant application procedures. This will enable ZEN Inc to focus its effort on project execution, thereby augmenting Noosa's collective mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This report provides a concise overview of ZEN Inc.'s noteworthy accomplishments in aiding the Noosa Shire's reduction of community greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with an overview of the proposed three-year Partnership Agreement.

Recommendation

That Council note the report by the Carbon Reduction Project Officer to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 regarding Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN)Inc and:

  1. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to execute the Partnership Agreement 2023-2026 provided at Attachment 1 to the Report;
  2. Authorise the Director Strategy and Environment to make minor changes to the Partnership Agreement 2023-2026 prior to execution;
  3. Note the annual funding contribution will be determined at annual budget considerations.

Report

Background

Zero Emissions Noosa Inc (ZEN Inc), established in 2016, is an incorporated, not-for-profit, community organisation with the key objective of assisting the Noosa community to achieve net zero emissions in the Noosa local government area. It is the leading community organisation in this field in Noosa and the only Noosa community organisation solely dedicated to emissions reduction across the Noosa Shire. ZEN Inc. seeks to make Noosa Shire a leading local government region in zero 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

  1. 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 • Reporting Requirements • Intellectual Property • Obligations of each Party • Indemnity • Termination of the Agreement • Dispute Resolution • General Provisions • Insurances Entering into this three year agreement with ZEN Inc. will provide ongoing financial security to employ a coordinator to enable the organisation to continue to enhance projects which align with Council's Climate Response Plan to assist the Noosa community achieve net zero emissions.

Report details

Index: Subject/21.43 - Carbon Emission Reduction - Community ( Zero Emissions
Noosa ) ( ZEN )