Twenty-two projects and organisations are set to share in more than $442,000 in the latest round of Noosa Council's Environment and Climate Change Grants.
"These grants provide the opportunity to collaborate with, and build the capacity of, our local community groups to achieve tangible outcomes and enhance the incredible environmental values of our region," Mayor Clare Stewart said.
Over $375,000 will be spent on the Environment Project Grants, Multi-year Environment Collaborative Grants (MEC) and Environment Organisation Alliance Grants in the 2023/2024 financial year. These grants are funded through the Environment Levy to support the implementation of the Noosa Environment Strategy and will help make a wide range of community initiatives possible.
"Council is always impressed by the quality and wide variety of applications received for this grant program," Cr Stewart said.
One of the well-deserving recipients for this year is Noosa District Landcare with its 'Keeping on with the Keeping it in Kin Kin' project.
"Previous projects supported by the Environment Grants, such as Keeping it in Kin Kin, have had a significant impact on the health of Noosa River, and in raising awareness of the detrimental impacts of sediments on our local waterways," Cr Stewart said.
Ongoing Council support for this program has already facilitated, an additional $137,690 this financial year of leveraged external funding grants to boost Council's allocation.
Other projects funded this round of environment grants include Wildlife Noosa and Wildcare Australia, to support the ongoing work of these organisations rescuing and caring for sick and injured wildlife.
Tourism Noosa's Plastic Free Noosa project is also set to receive three-year funding in this round.
Plastic Free Noosa works with more than 180 local businesses, residents, youth, and visitors to Noosa to eliminate single-use plastics from circulation by supporting the switch to more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable or 100% compostable items.
Juanita Terry-Bloomfield, Tourism Noosa's Head of Tourism Sustainability & Program Design said, "We are delighted to partner with Noosa Council once again in delivering the Plastic Free Noosa program for the Noosa community and businesses and thank Council staff and Councilors for believing in the program and our efforts to reduce the plastic waste within our shire, oceans and rivers. The project has already helped reduce over 12 million single-use plastics in the region since February 2018".
Almost $68,000 in Climate Change Response Grants will be distributed in support of seven projects put forward by five community organisations. Environment and Sustainable Development Director Kim Rawlings said: "The bulk of the Climate Change Grants this round support community organisations' efforts to reduce their emissions by installing solar on their facilities."
In total Council is supporting more than 40kW worth of solar installations and upgrades, which all helps bring down our emissions as a community. The funded projects include a 27kW solar system installation at Kin Kin Community House and a 10kW system at Kin Kin School of Arts.
"This round also funds a Zero Emissions Noosa project to investigate a range of potential emissions reduction opportunities across the shire."
