2016-06-07 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

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COUNCIL POLICY - ENVIRONMENT LEVY POLICY

3.    Funding of Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust
Levy funds may be allocated to Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust for dissemination by Noosa
Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd in accordance with the purposes of the Trust Deed.
The amount of money allocated from the Levy to Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust will be
determined during annual budget deliberations. Information provided by Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation Ltd to Noosa Council may be used to help make this determination.

ENVIRONMENT LEVY GUIDELINES
Specific provisions for implementing Acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land and Support
for Voluntary Conservation Agreements will be detailed in the Environment Levy Guidelines.
With regard to Acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land, the Guidelines will include details
about identification of Strategic Biodiversity Corridors, identification of at-risk Regional Ecosystems
and Species, methodology for developing the Preferred Acquisition List, assessment criteria for
land being considered for purchase, review of the effectiveness of the land acquisition program,
and mechanisms for reporting on the Acquisition program.
With regard to Support for Voluntary Conservation Agreements, the Guidelines will include
eligibility criteria, minimum and maximum financial incentives based on the size and suitability of
the land under covenant, components of the Environmental Management Plan including fire
management planning, and processes for developing a VCA with a landholder.

ENVIRONMENT LEVY WORKING GROUP
The Environment Levy Working Group will make recommendations to Council on the spending
of Environment Levy funds. The Committee will consist of:
Principal Environment Officer
Senior Environment Officer (Planning)
Natural Areas Operations Coordinator
Coordinator Property and Land Management
Principal Strategic Planner (Land Use)
Coordinator Financial Services
One Councillor appointed by Council

DEFINITIONS
“Biodiversity” refers to the variety of all life forms - all the different plants, animals and micro-
organisms, and the ecosystems of which they are a part.
“Environment’ refers to the use of the word to describe the natural (not man-made) environment
of the region and includes the natural ecological systems of air, water, soil and associated species
of flora and fauna.
“Environment Levy” ” refers to a Levy raised by Noosa Council (in accordance with section 94 of
the Queensland Local Government Act 2009), on all rateable properties within its jurisdiction, in
order to meet the objectives in this policy.
“Regional Ecosystem” refers to distinct vegetation communities associated with specific
landforms and soil types as identified by the Queensland Herbarium.
“Wildlife Corridor” refers to a link of wildlife habitat, generally native vegetation, which connects
core areas of wildlife habitat to allow for the safe movement of fauna species and sustains wildlife
populations.
“Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust" refers to the entity governed by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Trust deed, with Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd as its sole Trustee.

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