OPERATIONAL PLAN 2026-2027

Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027

In accordance with Sections 174 and 175 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council is required to adopt an Operational Plan each financial year that aligns with the annual budget and supports delivery of the Corporate Plan.

The Noosa Council Corporate Plan 2023-2028 sets Council's strategic direction over a five-year period and provides the framework for annual planning and budgeting. Consistent with this framework, the Draft Noosa Council Operational Plan 2026-2027 translates the Corporate Plan's strategic objectives into a coordinated program of actions and initiatives for delivery during the 2026-

2027 financial year. To support this alignment, the document is structured around the five Corporate

Plan themes of Environment, Liveability, Prosperity, Future and Excellence, and has further been developed to:

• Identify initiatives and projects that support the objectives of the Corporate Plan, including the progression of signature projects and key actions.

• Deliver actions arising from Council-endorsed strategies and plans, including the Environment Strategy, Housing Strategy, Social Strategy, Transport Strategy, and Noosa Plan 2020.

• Incorporate new initiatives proposed through the 2026-2027 budget process.

• Continue the delivery of initiatives and projects commenced in 2025-2026 that extend into the 2026-2027 financial year.

• Deliver the adopted Capital Works Program.

The Executive Team has considered the matters outlined above and carefully balanced competing priorities against available organisational delivery capacity in determining the initiatives to be included in the Operational Plan. This process involved assessing the scale and complexity of proposed initiatives, their alignment with Council's strategic objectives, and the timing and sequencing required to ensure realistic and achievable delivery.

Consideration was also given to existing workloads, resource constraints, and the need to progress previously deferred initiatives. Through this assessment, initiatives have been prioritised to ensure the Operational Plan remains both strategically focused and operationally achievable within available resources. The result of this process is the Draft Noosa Council Operational Plan 2026-2027 as provided in Attachment 1, outlining 76 initiatives across the five Corporate Plan themes to progress strategic priorities, deliver endorsed strategies, continue multi-year projects, and implement the Capital Works Program.

Operational Plan Reporting

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is required to provide regular reporting to Council on the implementation and performance of Council's plans, programs, and operations throughout each financial year. To support transparency, accountability, and effective governance, a range of reporting mechanisms are in place:

•

Operational Plan – The CEO reports quarterly to Council on the progress of initiatives and

projects identified in the Operational Plan.

•

Key Performance Measures (KPMs) – Reported quarterly alongside Operational Plan updates,

KPMs provide further insight into organisational performance and service delivery.

•

Corporate Plan – The CEO provides an annual report to Council (typically following 30 June)

outlining progress against the key priorities of the Corporate Plan. This is also reflected in Council's Annual Report.

•

Capital Works Program – Progress on delivery of the Capital Works Program is reported

quarterly. In addition, a Capital Works Executive Committee has been established to strengthen governance, oversight, and delivery performance across the program.

•

Subject Matter Reports – From time to time, Council receives detailed reports on specific topics,

providing in-depth analysis of performance, outcomes, and emerging issues relevant to the subject area.

1. Recommendation The Draft Noosa Council Operational Plan 2026-2027 provides a structured and integrated framework for the delivery of Council's strategic priorities over the forthcoming financial year. It ensures alignment between the Corporate Plan, endorsed strategies, the annual budget, and the Capital Works Program, while also reflecting Council's ongoing commitment to responsible and transparent governance.

The Plan has been developed with careful regard to organisational capacity, resource constraints, and the need to balance competing priorities, resulting in a focused and achievable program of initiatives and projects.

It is therefore recommended that Council adopt the Draft Noosa Council Operational Plan 2026-2027 as provided in Attachment 1, noting that progress against its implementation will be subject to regular reporting through established governance and performance monitoring mechanisms.