Call goes out for community members to guide Noosa’s climate change response

Noosa Council is on the hunt for 10 Noosa locals to guide the implementation of Noosa’s Climate Change Response Plan. 

Members of the new Community Reference Group will help guide the rollout of Council’s Climate Change Response Plan and provide advice on a range of climate change issues.

Councillor Tom Wegener said the volunteer Community Reference Group would provide practical advice on putting Council’s new Climate Change Response Plan into action.

“In practical terms the panel will consider, for example, how we encourage the take-up of low-to-zero emissions vehicles and put waste reduction programs into place to help meet our community’s 2026 net-zero emissions target,” Cr Wegener said.

“At the same time, it’s also looking at how we ensure our residents are prepared to weather the impacts of climate change, such as hotter temperatures, more severe weather events, bushfires and storms.

“The Community Reference Group will also consider how to develop and attract green industries to Noosa Shire and how we can help businesses reduce their energy costs through the take-up of renewable energy sources.

“Then there are social implications to consider with the rollout of the plan – for example making sure access to renewable energy is available to everyone regardless of their income,” Cr Wegener said.

Nominations are now open for the volunteer reference group membership, and Council’s Carbon Reduction Project Officer Annie Nolan said Council was looking to assemble a diverse panel of locals with a shared interest in preparing Noosa for climate change.

“We hope to see young people on the reference group – they’re our future,” Ms Nolan said.

“We’d like to see a mix of genders and ages, as well as indigenous representation and applicants with expertise and experience in climate change issues,” she said.

“It’s sure to be an interesting opportunity for those interested in responding to the wicked problem of climate change.”

Council recently endorsed the new Climate Change Response Plan, which was developed with community input. 

It sets out actions for Council and the community to boost Noosa’s resilience to hotter temperatures, bushfires, extreme weather events and other climate change impacts. It also includes actions to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

To lodge an expression-of-interest to join the reference group, visit Council's Your Say Noosa website.