2018-07-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                         10 JULY 2018


7                        ENVIRONMENT LEVY POLICY - AMENDMENTS
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne
                                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                            ECM/ Subject/ Environment Levy

Attachments                      1.   Revised Environment Levy Policy 2018 (with changes shown in
                                      revision mode)
                                 2.   Revised Environment Levy Policy 2018 (accepted changes version)



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report recommends Council adopt an updated Environment Levy policy to guide the use and
application of the Environment Levy Special Charge.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 10 July 2018 and repeal the current Environment Levy Policy and
adopt the revised Environment Levy Policy provided as Attachment 2 to the report.


REPORT
The Environment Levy was first introduced by Council in 1995 with a primary purpose of
purchasing and protecting environmentally significant land. Since its introduction the purpose of
the Environment Levy has been broadened to support the funding of:
   The Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) program to encourage conservation on
     private lands;
   Operational maintenance costs for land purchased with the Environment Levy; and
   Management and administrative arrangements for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve and
     funding of environmental projects and grants administered by the Noosa Biosphere
     Reserve Foundation.
Under the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council is required to prepare and adopt a
Revenue Statement each financial year as part of it budget development. The purpose of this
report is to update the Environment Levy Policy to reflect proposed changes in the 2018/19
Revenue Statement which is to be considered by Council at a Special Meeting on 6 July 2018.
The main changes to the Environment Levy Policy are in regard to the following:
Funding for Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust
At its Ordinary Meeting of 21 June 2018, Council adopted a new funding Deed of Agreement with
the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation. Consistent with the Deed of Agreement, the
Environment Levy Policy has been amended to reflect the revised funding arrangements for the
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation management and administration and funding for projects
that are directed towards protecting and advancing the natural environment.
Funding for Environmental Grants
The Environment Levy Policy now has a provision for an Environmental Grants program. Grants
will be for environmental initiatives, capacity building and projects that are in keeping with
purpose of the Levy.
Separate grant guidelines will be developed as part of the Environment Strategy currently
underway to provide further guidance and to outline the assessment criteria and process for the
environment grants.

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