Environmental protection and sustainability had been prioritised in Noosa Shire for many years, until the area experienced significant structural change when it was amalgamated in 2008 and then de-amalgamated in 2014. Noosa Shire wanted to re-establish its strong policies in carbon reduction and energy efficiency, without over-committing Council during this reformative period.

Scott Losee worked closely with the Council’s sustainability officer and facilitated a peer review workshop with local leaders. He established a framework for the draft plan that included integrated planning, energy efficiency, renewables, saving transport fuel, and reducing waste to landfill.

The draft plan was shared on the Council’s ‘Your Say’ website and nearly broke the record for positive community feedback. It included a prioritised program of actions that were geared to establish a basis for greenhouse gas and energy action, while continuing to juggle competing priorities in the early re-establishment phase.

Council published the final plan as its Zero Emissions Organisational Strategy, 2016-2026.