| About The
Trust Note: Any mention of
"Trust" below means the Noosa Community Environment Trust.
Highlights of Trust
- Of interest to anyone who loves the Noosa
environment
- Opportunity to donate funds and/or land, or
bequeath in Wills for the long term benefit of the environment in Noosa Shire
- Registered by Australian Government as an
Environment Trust and Public Fund
- Entitled under the Income Tax Assessment
Act 1997 to received tax deductible donations
- Managed by representatives of the
community, sponsored by Noosa Council
Why
have a Trust?
Whilst there
are many reasons why people visit and then settle in Noosa, the environment would have to
be paramount. Over the years residents and visitors have fought to ensure that Noosa stays
as a special place where the river, lakes, trees and the abundant wildlife still dominate
our lifestyle.
However as the
population of Queensland, in general, and the Sunshine Coast in particular continues to
grow, we are under increasing pressure to maintain and protect our environment.
Who Can
Invest?
The Trust
gives the opportunity for members of the community, as individuals or community groups,
and businesses to donate funds towards the protection of Noosa’s environment. Land
can also be donated.
What
will Benefit from the Trust?
Land donated,
of environmental sensitivity, will be protected from future development.
Monetary funds
will be invested in environment projects and/or services that include, but are not limited
to, Acquisition of land, Forest, Fauna and Flora, Rivers and Lakes, Coastlines, Energy and
Atmosphere, Conservation, Environment education, etc.
Are
There Tax Advantages?
The Trust has
been granted Certificate of Entry on the Register of Environment Organisations by the
Australian Government and is entitled under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 item 6.1.1
of subsection 30-55(1) to receive tax deductible donations. Note: For both Monetary Fund
and Land donations all Donors/Benefactors should contact their Legal Advisors to ensure
their eligibility.
Full
information on the tax deductibility of land donations is available on the following
Government websites:
Community Management of the Trust
A major
feature of the Trust is that it is managed by community representatives.
Donated
monetary funds and land are invested/managed by the Trustees under direction of the
Management Committee. The Management Committee has been established from members of the
Noosa Community Environment Board.
The Trust is
an initiative of the Noosa Community Environment Board and a major recommendation in the
Board’s 2002 Action Plan. The Board was formed in 2001 under sponsorship of Noosa
Council.
Trust
governance is undertaken by the Trustees.
Noosa
Council sponsors and supports the Trust. |
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To ensure
neutrality the Trustees and the Management Committee act independently from the Noosa
Community Environment Board and Noosa Council.
Voluntary
Contribution
All Trustees
and members of the Management Committee serve in a voluntary, unpaid capacity.
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Trust may however be reimbursed on the approval of
the Management Committee.
Asset
and Financial Reporting
Quarterly
media announcements in the local press will provide information to the community to ensure
that knowledge and transparency of the Trust is maintained. The Trust fund is audited
annually in accordance with the Deed of Trust.
Further
Information
Donor/benefactors
who need further information are encouraged to meet with representatives from the
Trustees/Management Committee. In the first instance you should telephone 07 5449
5290 to contact a representative of the Trust.
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