2020-01-13 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   13 JANUARY 2020




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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                               13 JANUARY 2020

                                                                                         Attachment 2

            | a       NOOSA                                                       Policy Guideline
            mm i      Reeeree                      PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION
                                                                               PARTNERSHIPS

           Corporate Plan Reference:               Theme 1: The Noosa Environment — Our environment is
                                                   protected, enhanced and valued by the community.
     |     Endorsed by Council                    20- September 2048
           Guideline Owner and Department:         Director Environment & Sustainable Development

           GUIDELINE BACKGROUND
           The purpose of this guideline is to provide direction to Council staff on the implementation of the
           Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) and Land for Wildlife (LfW) Programs. These programs
           help support conservation efforts by landholders to protect and enhance biodiversity in Noosa
           Shire on private land.
           POLICY GUIDELINE
           This Guideline applies to voluntary conservation initiatives on private land within Noosa Shire as
           part of the wider biodiversity network consisting of core protected areas, biodiversity corridors and
           the bushland reserve network.
           Although Noosa Shire has large areas under conservation protection, a significant amount of
           vegetation and habitat exists on private lands. Noosa Council recognises that private land
           conservation is well placed to make a significant contribution to conservation as part of a broader
           strategic objective to protect and enhance biodiversity and connectivity across Noosa Shire, as well
           as provide benefits to landholders and communities.
           LAND FOR WILDLIFE PROGRAM
           The Land for Wildlife (LFW) program started in Victoria in 1981 with the aim of supporting private
           landholders to deliver natural resource outcomes. The State of Victoria remains the head of power to
           the program with all participating bodies holding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
           State. Noosa Council has been part of the Lf(WWSEQ collaboration since 1998, alongside 10 other
           SEQ Council's. The agreement articulates specified program standards and obligations to maintain
           the integrity of the LfW brand.
           With over 50% of biodiversity values contained on private land in SEQ, LfW plays an integral role in
           partnering with private landholders to conserve the biodiversity and natural amenity of the region.
           The LfW program aligns with regional, state and federal objectives, with the program being
           embedded in many SEQ Council policies and strategies, such as pest management and biodiversity.
           The program engages with the community to improve catchment and waterway health; through
           erosion and sediment control, revegetation and remnant vegetation protection through the integration
           of wildlife habitat with agricultural and other land uses. It creates wildlife corridor linkages in strategic
     |     locations and between core protected areas-and-havens, enabling genetic interchange needed to
           avoid inbreeding in isolated populations.
           LfW is a voluntary conservation program that creates partnerships with eligible landholders. Council
           Officers undertake property assessments and provide advice and engagement on the management
           of properties for its conservation values. The LfW Program is delivered as part of Council's Private
           Land Conservation Partnerships and is consistent with the Conservation Land Guideline.

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