2017-10-13 Special Meeting

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                13 OCTOBER 2017


It should be noted that there are a myriad of other potential scenarios that have been modelled
(i.e. starting the remediation early, undertaking remediation for 10 years, the project being delayed
etc) however for the purposes of the analysis the three scenarios above have been assumed to
reflect the realistic options available based on current information.

8.2.2.   Funding
It is assumed that the project will be funded in its entirety by the Environment Levy. The estimated
levy balance at the end of the 2017/18 financial year is $1.3 million (after also allowing for the
Johns Landing purchase). Based on a business as usual approach (i.e. revenue levels do not
change nor the current levels of contribution to conservation agreements and the Noosa Biosphere
Reserve contribution), the levy can accommodate the costs associated with all three scenarios
presented.

Figure 2: Projected Environment Levy Restricted Cash Balance
 $14,000,000


 $12,000,000


 $10,000,000


  $8,000,000


  $6,000,000


  $4,000,000


  $2,000,000


          $0
                 2018    2019     2020     2021    2022     2023    2024    2025     2026     2027
               Basecase (Natural Regeneration)        Assisted Regeneration         Reconstruction



Obviously tying up funds in this investment restricts the ability for the levy to self-fund other
significant environmental land acquisition opportunities. This does not however stop Council from
looking at other investment approaches moving forward (i.e. external or internal loan funding to
smooth cash flows).

8.2.3.   Rehabilitation
There are generally four approaches to restoring natural habitat. These approaches are outlined
below.

 Ecological Restoration       Circumstances Where                      Examples
 Approach                     Appropriate

 Natural Regeneration         Where resilience is intact and           Where fencing to exclude stock
                              recovery is automatic with the           enables natural regeneration of
                              removal of the cause of damage.          plants.

 Assisted regeneration        Where degrees of resilience exist        Where lantana and exotic
                              and ‘triggering’ interventions (either   groundcovers affect a rainforest
                              disturbance or resource provision)       understorey.
                              can effect recovery by natural
                              regeneration.


                                                                                            Page 17 of 48