Noosa Council and NBRF resolve new agreement
Council has endorsed a new three-year funding agreement for Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF).
Following a vote by Council last Thursday, the new agreement will take effect from 1 July 2018.
"Recent discussions between Council and NBRF have been very productive," said Mayor Tony Wellington. "The NBRF board are invigorated by their more strategic, expertise-based focus under the new arrangements.”
NBRF is a company established to manage a charitable trust. The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust enjoys Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) status allowing it to receive tax deductable donations.
"Council views NBRF as an important facilitator of big picture projects. Past and ongoing projects have focussed on Noosa River biodiversity, catchment erosion around Kin Kin Creek and local koala health. These are good examples of the types of activities that Council wishes to see NBRF continue in the future.
"NBRF now has an opportunity to evolve their organisation. Council is pleased the NBRF will soon be releasing a draft strategy, envisaging a future where it takes a more strategic role, particularly in developing and sourcing targeted projects and in better utilising its DGR status to raise funds from sources other than Council.
"I think we have come up with an approach that improves the way Council works with the NBRF," says Mayor Wellington. "From July, Council will have the final say on how ratepayer money is invested in projects they fund.
"In the first year of the new agreement, $125,000 will be set aside from the Environment Levy to be available for NBRF projects. This money will be subject to application assessment by Council before it can be allocated. After 2018-19, NBRF will compete with other organisations for project funding.
"NBRF will continue to receive operational funding for the first year of the agreement. For the ensuing two years, funding will be subject to Council's budget deliberations. NBRF has also been asked to consider how it might improve its governance, transparency and reporting to the community.
"It is important to remember that NBRF is not a Council entity and is not directed by Noosa Council. It is a company established to manage a trust for charitable purposes. Nor is NBRF an incorporated community organisation. The Noosa Community Biosphere Association is the community arm of the Biosphere Reserve.
"Noosa Council, as the organisation with the greatest influence over the Biosphere Reserve, has determined that it needs to shoulder greater responsibility for meeting the Man and the Biosphere goals," said Mayor Wellington. "Noosa Council will henceforth ensure that the aims of the UNESCO covenant are better integrated into our own policies and actions.
"The Noosa Community Biosphere Association, an incorporated community group, will continue to be supported through Council's community grants program.”
26 June 2018