Operational plan 2024–25
107 initiatives in 2024–25
Theme 1: Environment
Objective 1.1: Maintain and improve water quality and the health of waterways, wetlands and catchments
- Continue to deliver the Modern Water Quality Monitoring Program for the Noosa and Mary River Sub- catchments to monitor the environmental health of the catchments and identify priority areas for management.
- Enhanced management of bio basins in formal asset management systems incl. asset management and renewal to reduce harmful stormwater runoff to protect and improve waterway health.
Objective 1.2: Partner with landowners and community groups to manage, protect and regenerate natural environment assets, improve resilience, and incorporate Indigenous knowledge.
- Continue to deliver the Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 and deliver planned burns and mechanical fuel reduction where conditions allow in priority reserves, based on a comprehensive bushfire risk assessment.
- Continue to deliver a Community Bushcare Program for active volunteers across bushland care groups and undertake a review of the Community Bushland Care Guideline.
- Initiate a review of the Biosecurity Plan 2020 to manage invasive species which threaten Noosa's biodiversity values.
Objective 1.3: Fund and implement Coastal Foreshores and Coastal Hazard Management Plans to protect and enhance coastal and foreshore areas.
- Finalise the Noosaville Foreshore Management Plan to provide an asset renewal program for aging infrastructure and in response to increased community expectations and the increasing risk of climate change.
- Initiate the implementation of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan 2023 focusing on education and awareness of the social and environmental values of foreshores, and key management issues.
- Identify high-risk erosion prone areas of the Climate Change Adaption Plan (CHAP) and scope an ongoing management program.
- Implement the Encroachments Policy and Operational procedure, including the development of a community education and awareness campaign to guide community use and management of council managed land.
- Implement the Noosa Spit Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) to protect the Noosa Spit and river estuary (incl. sand and Noosaville foreshores) from major coastal events.
Objective 1.5: Deliver expanded vegetation networks, rehabilitation and habitat across the Shire and advocate to the state and federal governments to assist funding environmental action.
- Finalise the transition arrangements for the Yurol Ringtail State Forest land for conservation to expand the area protected for conservation in Noosa Shire.
- Review the Conservation Land Plan/Policy to provide a clear methodology for identifying land parcels for consideration of purchase (via the Environment Levy) for inclusion in the Voluntary Conservation Agreement program or the Land for Wildlife program.
Objective 1.7: Deliver and partner with State and Federal Governments to protect threatened and vulnerable species identified in the Environment Strategy.
- Initiate implementation of the Noosa Threatened Fauna Roadmap including the development of 2 action plans per year for priority threatened species identified in the Noosa Threatened Fauna Roadmap.
- Initiate a review of the Koala Conservation Plan to ensure recovery and conservation strategies are aligned with contemporary populations and threats.
- Manage flying fox impacts on the community in accordance with the Noosa Council Statement of Management Intent (SoMI) and through community education.
Objective 1.8: Reinforce Noosa Design Principles to shape the look and feel of our distinctive built environment to ensure it responds to our climate, environment and unique character.
- Complete the review of the Noosa design principles including incorporating sustainable design to embed climate resilience, nature positive and low carbon considerations into the principles, and promote and increase awareness with key stakeholders.
- Continue to implement best practice Development Assessment services that deliver the strategic outcomes of the Noosa Plan 2020.
- Ensure all Council capital, civil and maintenance works are planned, delivered, and maintained in accordance with the Noosa Design Principles, legislative requirements, and best environmental practice. This includes minimising impacts on environmental values and incorporating fauna/flora sensitive designs into project planning and delivery, where practical.
Theme 2: Liveability
Objective 2.1: Facilitate greater housing choice which meets the changing needs of the community, improves liveability and affordability and includes partnering to increase provision of social and affordable housing.
- Continue to implement key actions of the Noosa Housing Strategy including: - Development of a Housing Monitoring program. - Partnering with State Housing Department, Community Housing providers and industry to advance the planning and development of affordable housing. - Continue site investigations at Lake Macdonald Drive Cooroy for affordable housing outcomes. - Identifying grant and funding opportunities for affordable housing outcomes.
- Continue to implement and monitor the Short Stay Letting Local Law to manage the impacts of short-term letting.
Objective 2.2: Fund and deliver accessible and improved, parks, open spaces, walking and cycle paths and trails, including greening our paths and cycleways to meet contemporary needs.
- Complete the upgrade of the Woondum and Wahpunga trails in accordance with the Noosa Biosphere Trails Master Plan to improve the condition of trails, increase connectivity between Cooran, Kin Kin and Lake McDonald, and recreational activity.
- Finalise the Noosa Botanic Gardens Master Plan to help guide future improvements and enhance the visitor experience.
- Maintain the standard of pathways throughout the shire through the delivery of the pathway's renewal program.
Objective 2.4: Advocate and partner with all levels of government for increased funding for connected transport nodes, transit hubs, including walking, cycling and public transport and explore opportunities through smart city, smart biosphere and innovation to transform the way we move around and engage in our community.
- Complete and deliver the Movement and Connection Delivery Plan to improve transport links, walking and cycling connections and movements.
- Commence a Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy including advocating with DTMR for the finalisation of the strategy and undertaking investigations into the Cooroy and Shire transit hubs to improve public transport connectivity in the shire for residents and visitors.
- Deliver the Cycling and Walking Implementation Plan to guide Council's planning, development and promotion of bike and walking networks in the future.
- Develop the Noosa Parking Management Plan to guide our approach to the management of parking throughout the shire.
- Embed the Go Noosa program including the free weekend and holiday bus program, as part of the Transport Strategy to reduce traffic congestion and reduce emissions.
- Undertake investigations into the Noosa Woods Jetty as potential ferry stop location as a means of public transportation, and to provide increased access to Noosa Woods.
Objective 2.5: Ensure community facilities and services are inclusive, accessible and meet the evolving needs and interests of residents across the shire.
- Complete a new Noosa Libraries Business Plan to ensure the delivery of a well-planned service that meets community needs.
- Continue to undertake the staged implementation of Master Plans for the Cooroy and Noosa District Sports Complexes to improve sport and recreation facilities and increase participation in sports.
- Complete community halls Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance and asset management condition assessments to ensure quality, accessible and fit for purpose community facilities.
- Commence the design process for an Accessible Adult Change Facility as part of the Noosaville Foreshore Management Plan.
- Finalise the review of community purpose land and the Infrastructure Tenure Policy to provide a consistent framework to ensure the equitable use of community purpose land and infrastructure within is utilised to its full potential.
- Provide inclusiveness coaching support to community groups to increase community participation for people with disabilities.
Objective 2.6: Facilitate strong, vibrant, inclusive communities where people have a sense of belonging and are active participants in a rich community life.
- Undertake the preparatory phase for the proposed development of a new Community Strategy which outlines the community's vision for Noosa and guides planning and decision making.
- Review and complete the Community Grants program and policy to further support community organisations to deliver community development initiatives.
Objective 2.7: Fund and deliver sustainable assets and facilities and associated services responding to the changing needs of the community and the challenges and opportunities of the future.
- Complete Noosa Cemeteries Plan to guide the future management of council's cemeteries and ensure cemetery services meet future demand.
- Complete a needs assessment for the Noosa Leisure Centre and Noosa Aquatic Centre to provide a basis on which the sporting needs of the community are determined.
- Investigate a new revenue system which ensures visitors contribute to the provision and maintenance of transport facilities and services they utilise
- Continue to progress asset management planning for council's community services buildings and community infrastructure to ensure their ongoing suitability to meet the functional needs of current and future users.
Theme 3: Prosperity
Objective 3.1: Deliver and fund the Smart Biosphere - Economic Strategy, partnering with and supporting Noosa Shire’s business community and industry sectors to deliver key outcomes.
- Advance the Sustainable Procurement Policy and establish practices for Council's procurement of services and products.
- Implement the Noosa Economic Development Smart Biosphere Strategy (NEDS) Action Plan and identify and advance priority projects including the activation of strategic employment land.
- Progress the embedding of sustainable procurement practices into Council's procurement of services and products, through the adoption of a formal policy position, as well as developing an education, measurement, and reporting framework.
Objective 3.7: Deliver the waste program focused on accelerating actions and solutions including circular economy opportunities to cut waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.
- Develop the Noosa Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility Master Plan to provide future direction in the management of the Resource recovery centre and maximise waste diversion and minimisation practices.
- Implement best practice waste management practices and continuous improvement across all waste functions and assets to support the principles of the waste hierarchy and actions in the Waste Plan.
- Complete feasibility studies and development plans for new waste infrastructure projects incl. anerobic digestion, composting, biochar and solar and utilisation of landfill gas and explore options and funding mechanisms.
Theme 4: Future
Objective 4.8: Deliver best practice approaches to combat and plan for natural disasters and climate change including supporting safety, preparedness, resilience and recovery capacity.
- Advance the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Regional Climate Action Roadmap by delivering the Regional Cascading Risks and Critical Infrastructure Failure Project with Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
- Deliver Disaster preparedness, Resilience and Recovery activities to support Council and the broader community.
- Complete the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Plan for the 2022 Floods & Rain Event.
- Continue the implementation of the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan (CHAP), including planning for Living Foreshores Noosa, Coastal Wetland Restoration Project.
- Advance flood resilience projects including updating the Noosa River Flood Study, Six Mile Creek Flood Study and Noosa Flood Management Plan.
Theme 5: Excellence
Objective 5.1: Improve the customer experience to prioritise customers' needs and outcomes throughout the entire customer journey.
- Implement a Customer Experience Program to create better experiences for our customers across the organisation.
- Assess the community's satisfaction with Council services to identify opportunities for improved service delivery.
- Transition Council's website from its existing content management system to an improved platform which increases functionality, website performance and lifts Council's online presence.
Objective 5.2: Continue to deliver a financially sustainable Council that has the Provider resources now and into the future to achieve its strategic objectives. This will be supported through the introduction of enhanced sustainability reporting and performance indicators, as well as ESG (environment social and governance) accounting practices as guided by statutory requirements.
- Progress embedding sustainability within the organisation through the development and implementation of a sustainability framework.
- Finalise the development of the Financial Strategy, supported by the 10-year financial plan model, and incorporating the Funding Strategy, Revenue Diversification Strategy, and the Strategic Land Review.
- Finalise the review of the Service Level Catalogue to assist Council in planning and delivering sustainable services to the community.
- Complete the audit of all water and electricity meters and review contract and tariff arrangements to ensure efficient service connections and pricing.
- Complete Council's Performance Measurement Framework to support Council to actively manage and improve organisational performance.
Objective 5.3: Embrace technology and innovative practices to support the provision of contemporary, efficient and effective levels of service for Council operations.
- Develop a new ICT and Digital Strategy to provide the foundation for technology requirements and digital transformation over the next 5 years.
- Commence the review of Local Laws.
- Develop a contemporary Integrated Enforcement and Compliance Policy.
- Implement a business improvement program to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness in Council's operations.
Objective 5.4: Provide a progressive working environment and practices which prioritise the wellbeing, safety, inclusiveness and development of our people and establish Noosa Council as an employer of choice
- Develop an appropriate capability framework/plan (finance, systems, and people) that supports Corporate Plan objectives.
- Develop a workforce planning model and process and partner with managers to undertake workforce planning.
- Continue to promote the Thrive Program to support employee wellbeing.
- Review the Workplace Health and Safety Policy and develop a new annual Workplace Health and Safety Management System Plan.
- Complete the negotiation process for Council's new Certified Agreement which will set out the conditions of employment for Council and the rights and entitlements of Council employees.
- Undertake an employee engagement survey to assess workplace wellbeing and staff satisfaction.
Objective 5.5: Provide robust and transparent governance systems to build and strengthen community trust, supported by the implementation of an enterprise risk and opportunity management framework.
- Progress the implementation of the corporate performance reporting system, and technology solutions to risk management and governance-related processes
- Co-ordinate a review Council's Strategic Risk Register with the new Council to identify and mitigate against any emerging risks and determine Council's risk appetite.
- Continue to implement actions to increase the effectiveness of the Audit and Risk Committee and the internal audit function.
- Complete the new Council Privacy Policy for Council's consideration to strengthen our governance framework.
- Facilitate a mid-term 'check in' with councillors on the Corporate Plan.
- Finalise the Contract Management Framework and implementation plan
Objective 5.7: Partner with other government agencies, commercial business and social enterprises to activate opportunities which will diversify Council’s revenue base or create alternative funding streams.
- As part of the development of a Council Revenue diversification and Funding Model (to inform the Finance Strategy & Futures Fund) explore investment structure frameworks for Place, Economic, Social and Climate Resilience infrastructure.
- Finalise the development of the Boreen Point Campground Master Plan
- Finalise the Strategic Land Review of council land holdings to identify opportunities for activation and engagement.
Explore by topic
Environmental Protection 15Traffic & Parking 6Managing Tourism 5Financial Strategy 4Conservation 3Disaster Management 3STA Impact 3Transport Strategy 3asset management 3public transport 3risk management 3Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2Community grants & volunteering support 2Cycling and Walking 2Destination Management Plan 2Events management 2Governance 2Heritage 2Noosa Design Principles 2Noosa Plan 2Planning scheme amendments 2Waste Strategy 2Wastewater 2affordable housing 2climate change response 2community engagement 2emissions reduction 2people with disabilities 2sustainable procurement 2Accessible Changing Places 1Art Galleries 1Biosecurity Plan 1Biosphere Trails 1Botanic Gardens 1Bushcare 1Bushfire management 1Coast & Waterways 1Community Strategy 1Conservation Land Plan 1Cooroy Sports Complex 1Council Customer Service 1Eastern Beaches Foreshore 1Economic development 1Economic development strategy 1Encroachment Policy 1Environment Levy 1Floating Land 1Flying fox management 1Food and Agribusiness Development Plan 1Food and Agribusiness Hub (AgriHub) feasibility 1Food and Agribusiness Network 1Future Skills Learning Hub 1Go Noosa 1Innovation Precinct 1Koala Conservation Plan 1Lake Macdonald Drive 1Land for Wildlife 1Landfill 1Libraries 1Living Foreshores Noosa 1Living Well Noosa 1Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) 1Modern Water Quality Monitoring Program 1Noosa Aquatic Centre 1Noosa District Sports Complex 1Noosa Housing Strategy 1Noosa Leisure Centre 1Noosa Threatened Fauna Roadmap 1Noosa Woods 1Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan 1Noosaville Foreshore Management Plan 1Parking management 1Pomona Place Plan 1Public Art Policy 1Revenue Diversification 1Shoreline Erosion Management Plan 1Short Term Accommodation 1Smart Biosphere 1Sport4All program 1Thrive program (employee wellbeing) 1Tourism 1Tourism Noosa 1Voluntary Conservation Agreement 1Wellbeing 1Woondum and Wahpunga trail upgrades 1Workforce & skills development 1Workforce Planning Framework 1Yurol Ringtail State Forest 1bio-basin management 1capital works 1cemeteries 1congestion 1development applications 1erosion 1ferries 1internal audit 1invasive species 1parking 1traditional owners 1water catchments 1young people 1