PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – 11 JULY 2023 · Planning & Environment Committee to Council report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                          20 JULY 2023


7.1. ENVIRONMENT LEVY PROPOSED
LAND PURCHASE
In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the
following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as in my
sole trader consultancy (Watershed Australia), I commenced a contract with the Koala Action
Gympie Region Association (KAGR) in June 2023. The $28,000 agreement currently runs to the
end of the calendar year. As part of the contract I am assisting the not-for-profit group identify
potential programs and projects to enhance koala habitat and the sustainability of the group in the
Gympie Region including opportunities to link with other organisations to create inter-regional
corridors. As the subject land abuts the Gympie Regional Council area, and as it is part of a mapped
koala corridor in the SEQ Bioregion, KAGR may have a future interest in linkages across shire
boundaries in this locality. As there is currently no direct link, nor any current specific project or
proposal involving KAGR, or myself in a consultant capacity, and the lot in question, nor is it likely
that I will benefit directly from its acquisition, I choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will
respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.

That Council note the Report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 11 July 2023 regarding the proposed purchase of the property and:
A. Approve and authorise the CEO to:
   1. Proceed with negotiation with the owners or their agent to purchase the property detailed in
      the Report within the valuation range of $400,000 to $480,000;
   2. If agreement can be reached between Council and the owners or their agent, utilise
      Council's Environment Levy funds to proceed with the purchase of the property detailed in
      the Report within the valuation range of $400,000 to $480,000;
   3. If the property detailed in the Report is purchased by Council, proceed with the placement
      of a Nature Refuge over the property; and
   4. Utilise Council's Environment Levy funds to allow Environmental Services undertake initial
      management actions on the property including weed and pest management, fire
      management, and ecological restoration; and
   5. Utilise Council's Environment Levy funds to allow Environmental Services to undertake
      ongoing management actions on the property including weed and pest management, fire
      management, flora and fauna monitoring.
Committee Recommendation
That the report of the Planning & Environment Committee dated 11 July 2023 be received and the
recommendations therein be adopted except where dealt with by separate resolution.