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

   USE OF REVENUE
   °    The apportionment of Environment Levy funds will be subject to Council’s annual budget
        review and program priorities.
   °    The Levy can be used for leveraging grants and partnership opportunities from the state and
        federal governments, other agencies and trusts, provided there is no impediment to achieving
        the agreed purpose of the Levy.
   °    Financial management of Levy revenue must be in accordance with relevant legislation and
        Council policies.

   ENVIRONMENT LEVY GUIDELINES
   Specific provisions for implementing Acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land and Support for
   Private Land Conservation Partnerships is detailed in the Conservation Land Guideline and the
   Private Landholder Conservation Partnerships Guideline.
   With regard to Acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land, the Conservation Land Guideline
   includes details about identification of high biodiverse value parcels, mapped biodiversity corridors,
   and preferred tenure for conservation purposes, and also provides a decision tool to support
   decision-making.
   With regard to support for Private Land Conservation Agreements, the Guidelines will include
   eligibility criteria, minimum and maximum financial incentives based on the size and suitability of the
   land under covenant/Nature Refuge, components of the Environmental Management Plan including
   fire management planning, and processes for developing a VCA with a landholder.
   With regard to the Environmental Grants Program, the Environment Grants Policy and related
   guidelines will specify grant eligibility, process and assessment criteria.

   ENVIRONMENT LEVY WORKING GROUP
   The Environment Levy Working Group (ELWG) will make recommendations to Council on the
   spending of Environment Levy funds. The Committee will consist of:
   Manager Environmental Services
   Principal Environment Officer
   Senior Environment Officer (Planning)
   Property Adviser
   Principal Strategic Planner (Land Use)
   Community Partnerships Officer
   Coordinator Financial Services (as required)
   One Councillor appointed by Council
   Activities of the ELWG will include;
   e  Making assessments of properties for potential purchase based on the Conservation Land
      Guideline. Properties identified as high priority may be presented to Council for a decision on
      purchase and options available for purchase.
   e  Assessing applicants for Voluntary Conservation Agreements and making recommendations for
      agreements to proceed, based on annual budget allocation for the program.
   e  Developing and annually reviewing guidelines for the Environmental Grants Program.
   e  Provision of advice to Council on other matters consistent with the purpose of the Environment
      Levy Policy that require technical advice and assessment as required.

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