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

           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,
                 Environmental Grants and support for Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and Trust will be
                 subject to Council’s annual budget review and program priorities.
           e     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 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 toyact.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.
           d)    Any acquisition and disposal of land will be carried out in accordance with the Local
                 GovernmentAct 2009.
           e)    Initiatives able to be undertaken after the land is acquired with Levy funds include but are not
                 limited to:
                 (i) | The excision and sale of portions of acquired land that are deemed unsuitable for the
                      purpose of the Levy and the considered future use will not adversely impact upon the
                      identified values of the balance area.
                 (ii) | On-selling an acquired site to a purchaser who undertakes a statutory covenant (or other
                      statutory mechanism) that is registered on the land title (in accordance with the Land
                      Title Act 1994) and expressly protects and manages the conservation values of the
                      property.
                 (iii) | The agistment, hiring, leasing, renting or selling any part, portion or product derived from
                      acquired land including any built structures and any agricultural or natural resources
                      generated within, on or under the property provided that these activities do not conflict
                      with the ecological and waterway protection and management of the property and is
                      consistent with other principles contained in this Policy.
          f)     Recurrent land management operational costs related to Council owned land should not be
                 funded from the Levy, apart from land acquired with the Environment Levy.

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