2019-06-28 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA   28 JUNE 2019




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SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                     28 JUNE 2019

   COUNCIL POLICY - ENVIRONMENT LEVY

   Determining which properties might be purchased shall be guided by the Conservation Land
   Guideline, which identifies criteria by which properties will be assessed for suitability for purchase,
   or applicability for other conservation mechanisms. Council has established an Environment Levy
   Working Group (ELWG) to undertake an initial assessment, based on the Conservation Land
   Guideline, and to provide recommendations to Council regarding land purchases for environmental
   purposes.
   Funds can be expended on acquisition of environmentally significant lands (or an interest in the land)
   and can be used for:
   (i) | The purchase costs of acquiring parcels of land including any associated consultancy, legal
         fees, transfer fees and background assessments.
   (ii) | Engaging third parties to act on Council’s behalf in the negotiation and acquisition of priority
         properties.
   (iii) The immediate establishment costs associated with acquired parcels of land including, but not
         limited to, management planning, fencing, weed management and fire management.
   (iv)  Recurrent land management operational costs associated with management of land (including
         an interest in land) acquired through the Environment Levy in accordance with an approved
         management plan for that land.

   Initiatives able to be undertaken after the land is acquired with Levy funds include but are not limited
   to:
   (i) | The excision and sale of portions of acquired land that are deemed unsuitable for the purpose
         of the Levy where the considered future use of such portions will not adversely impact upon
         the identified values of the balance area.
   (ii) | On-selling an acquired site to a purchaser who undertakes a statutory covenant (or other
         statutory mechanism) that is registered on the land title (in accordance with the Land Act 1994
         or the Nature Conservation Act 2014) and expressly protects and manages the conservation
         values of the property.
   (iii) The agistment, hiring, leasing, renting or selling any part, portion or product derived from
         acquired land, including any built structures and any agricultural or natural resources
         generated within, on or under the property, provided that these activities do not conflict with
         the ecological and waterway protection and management of the property, and is consistent
         with other principles contained in this Policy.
   Council may seek to maximise opportunities for purchasing lands utilising external funding where
   appropriate. Any acquisition and disposal of land will be carried out in accordance with the Local
   Government Act 2009. The Levy may not be used to acquire land for parks where the primary
   purpose is recreation.

   Recurrent land management operational costs related to Council-owned land should not be funded
   from the Levy, apart from land acquired with the Environment Levy.

   2.    Support for Private Land Conservation Partnerships
   The Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) program is a high-level protective mechanism that
   supports private landholders wishing to conserve their property's environmental values in perpetuity
   by registering a covenant on title over some or all of the property.
   Council may provide incentives to VCA landholders for environmental works as per an agreed
   Environment Management Plan.
   Similar to the acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land program, potential VCA properties will
   be  assessed    on  their biodiversity attributes, regional ecosystem    attributes, connectivity,
   consolidation, species protection, and rehabilitation opportunities. VCAs that are proposed for land
   that is identified in Council’s Conservation Land Guideline will receive the highest priority. VCAs that
   contribute to Strategic Biodiversity Corridors will also be considered favourably.

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