Hayley Hass

2:51 Mayor Wilkie: The first question is from Ms Hayley Haas. Ms Haas would you like to come to the lectern to read your question which will be answered by Kim Rawlings, Director of Strategy and Environment and Richard MacGillivray, Director of Development and Regulation.

3:06 Speaker 4: Through you Chair. Since declaring a climate emergency, Noosa Council has invested considerable resources into climate related activities including dedicated staffing, strategic plans, policies, programs and projects. This includes the employment of a carbon reduction project officer position with an annual salary exceeding $100,000 in addition to expenditure on associated climate initiatives across the organisation. Council is currently considering how to measure the effectiveness and return on investment of funding provided to tourism Noosa through the use of key performance indicators and measurable outcomes. Similar principles of accountability.

3:46 Mayor Wilkie: Ms Haas, that's not the question that we...

3:49 Speaker 4: No, it's the background information which I've been allowed to read at previous meetings.

3:54 Mayor Wilkie: You have a different...the question itself is that in relation to the total expenditure incurred by Noosa Council about the declaration of climate emergency.

4:04 Speaker 4: No, it's the what measurable outcomes.

4:07 Mayor Wilkie: Okay, question, yes, question two. Apologies.

4:10 Speaker 4: Council is currently considering how to measure the effectiveness and return on investment of funding provided to tourism Noosa through the use of key performance indicators and measurable outcomes. Similar principles of accountability and transparency would appear relevant to climate related expenditure. Given the outgoing commitment of Red Pad funds to climate programs and initiatives, it is reasonable for the community to understand how Council measures success, evaluates effectiveness and determines whether these investments are achieving their intended objectives. Council is currently considering how to measure the effectiveness and return on investment of funding provided to tourism Noosa through the use of key performance indicators and measurable outcomes. This question seeks clarification of the key performance indicators, targets and measurable outcomes used by Council for that purpose. Question is, what measurable outcomes, targets and key performance indicators does Noosa Council use to assess the effectiveness of its climate emergency declaration and the expenditure incurred in delivering associated climate change, climate resilience, sustainability and emissions reduction activities, including Council's carbon reduction project officer? This question seeks clarification of the key performance indicators, targets and measurable outcomes used by Council for that purpose.

5:10 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Ms. Haas. Director Rawlings. Come over here so we can hear you, please.

5:32 Director Rawlings: Thanks for your question, Hayley. Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Noosa Council has endorsed a climate change response plan and a coastal hazards adaptation plan, as well as supported the regional climate action roadmap developed in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council. Each of these plans contain a range of strategic priorities, targets, adaptation outcomes and actions that Council uses to measure progress in responding to growing climate risks. In addition, Council's Corporate Plan 2023-2028 includes key objectives, projects and performance measures related to climate change. This includes both measuring emissions reduction and efforts to build resilience. Progress in delivering Council's Corporate Plan is reported on annually. Projects and objectives which relate to climate response are then reflected down to Council's Annual Operational Plan, which is also reported on quarterly. Reports on Council's carbon footprint and monitoring of initiatives to reduce emissions are also reported publicly to Council. In addition, Council provided an update on the progress of delivering its climate change response plan at the General Committee on 16 December 2024. This included measuring progress on governance, priorities and targets, as well as estimates on expenditure and external grants received since endorsement of the plan. Council is working on developing a live, interactive and public online reporting platform, which intends to track progress and individual actions of the climate change response plan to inform the community of progress and strengthen transparency and accountability.

6:59 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Ms Haas.