2018-07-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   10 JULY 2018




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                   10 JULY 2018

           COUNCIL POLICY - ENVIRONMENT LEVY POLICY
           The Levy amount to be allocated to an Environment Grants program sentibuted tothe Noosa
          Biosphere Reserve-Trustwill be determined by Council as part of the annual budget process.
           It is expected that projects and initiatives awarded grant funding appreved by NeesaBiesphere
           Reserve-Foundation-Lid thatutiise Levy contributions—will be for projects that conserve and/or
           improve biodiversity in the Noosa Shire_and/or improve ecosystem values, catchment management
           and _ health of wetland and waterways —and/or towards protecting and advancing the natural
           environment. All initiatives funded via Environment Grants whichwill have tangible and measurable
           outcomes.
           4.     Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust__.
           -Council may choose to allocate a proportion of the Levy funds to the Noosa Biosphere Reserve
           Trust _to support the management_and_ administrative arrangements and fund projects that_are
           directed towards protecting and advancing the natural environment.

           USE OF REVENUE
           e   The apportionment of Environment Levy funds across the four programs of Acquisition of
               Environmentally Significant Land, Support for Voluntary Conservation Agreements—and
               Gontributions_te-Neosa_BiespheretrustAgreements, Environmental Grants and support for
               Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and Trust -will be subject to Council’s annual budget
               review and program priorities.
     |        forexpenditure- as general revenue.
           e   The Levy can be used for leveraging grants and partnership opportunities from the state and
     |         federal governaments—and cthergovernments, other agencies_and trusts, provided there is no
               impediment to achieving the agreed outcomes of Levy funding.
           e   Financial management of Levy revenue must be in accordance with relevant legislation and
               Council policies.
           FUNDING PRINCIPLES
           Management of EL funds shall be subject to the following principles.
           1.   Acquisition of Environmentally Significant Land
           a)   Funds can be expended on acquisition of environmentally significant lands (or an interest in
                the land). These funds can be used for:
                (i) | Assessment of land under consideration for purchase through the Levy.
                (ii) | The purchase costs of acquiring parcels of land including any associated consultancy,
                      legal fees, transfer fees and background assessments.
                (iii) | Engaging third parties to act on Council’s behalf in the negotiation and acquisition of
                      priority properties.
                (iv)  The immediate establishment costs associated with acquired parcels of land including
                      but not limited to management planning, fencing, weed management and fire
                      management.
                (v)   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.
           b) | Council may seek to maximise opportunities for purchasing lands utilising external funding
                where appropriate.
           c)   |The Levy revenue may not be used to acquire land for parks where the primary purpose is
                recreation.

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