2018-07-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            10 JULY 2018


Finance
The Environment Levy is a special charge of $60.00 levied annually against all rateable
properties. This equates to approximately $1.8m/year for environmental projects/programs that
are in keeping with the intent of the Environment Levy Policy. The apportionment of Levy funds
across environmental programs of land acquisition, Voluntary Conservation Agreements and
Environmental Grants is considered as part of Council’s annual budget review process. Any
unspent funds are placed in reserve for future investment in Environment Levy programs.
Risks & Opportunities
The primary purpose of the Environment Levy continues to be for the strategic acquisition of
environmentally significant land. Council has successfully acquired a number of significant
parcels via the Environment Levy, the most recent being;
     49ha of land (70% funded from the Environment Levy) known as Johns Landing adjacent
       to the Noosa River, and
     106ha known as Cooloothin Creek also adjacent to the Noosa River
Both these land parcels are currently being processed for Nature Refuge dedication.
The most recent Environment Levy purchase is for the buy-out of timber license areas in the
Yurol-Ringtail State Forest. 750ha of land will require remediation with a total of 2400ha to be
transferred into National Park.
With land prices continuing to rise there is a risk that directing some of the levy funding towards
other programs (e.g. major projects) may limit the ability to have sufficient fund in any given year
to purchase priority land parcels. Council may need to accumulate funds over more than one
year for major strategic acquisitions.
There is an opportunity to significantly leverage private land conservation initiatives through other
conservation programs like the Land for Wildlife Program. This would require only nominal
financial support.

Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil.
Internal Consultation
On 11 June 2018 the Environment Levy Working Group reviewed the proposed changes to the
Environment Levy Policy. The ELWG was supportive of the changes however recommended that
the Land for Wildlife Program, along with the Voluntary Conservation Agreement Program, be
also funded from the Levy for broad landholder incentives such as workshops, open days, nest
boxes and free trees given the significant conservation outcomes being achieved by this program
on private land.
Departments/Sections Consulted:
     Chief Executive Officer       Community Services                      x   Corporate Services
     Executive Officer             Director                                x   Director
     Executive Support             Community Development                       Financial Services
                                   Community Facilities                        ICT
                                   Libraries & Galleries                       Procurement & Fleet
                                   Local Laws                                  Property
                                   Waste & Environmental Health                Revenue Services

     Executive Services        x   Environment & Sustainable Development       Infrastructure Services
     Director                  x   Director                                    Director
     Community Engagement          Building & Plumbing Services                Asset Management
     Customer Service              Development Assessment                      Buildings and Facilities
     Governance                    Economic Development                        Civil Operations
     People and Culture        x   Environmental Services                      Disaster Management
                                   Strategic Land Use Planning                 Infrastructure Planning,
                                                                               Design and Delivery




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