2020-01-13 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   13 JANUARY 2020




                                      Page 9 of 172

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                               13 JANUARY 2020

           COUNCIL POLICY - ENVIRONMENT LEVY

           Determining which properties might be purchased shall be guided by the Conservation Land
           Guideline, which identifies criteria by which properties will be assessed for suitability for purchase,
           or applicability for other conservation mechanisms. Council has established an Environment Levy
           Working Group (ELWG) to undertake an initial assessment, based on the Conservation Land
           Guideline, and to provide recommendations to Council regarding land purchases for environmental
           purposes.
           Funds can be expended on acquisition of environmentally significant lands (or an interest in the land)
           and can be used for:
                 (i) | The purchase costs of acquiring parcels of land including any associated consultancy,
                      legal fees, transfer fees and background assessments.
                 (ii) | Engaging third parties to act on Council's behalf in the negotiation and acquisition of
                      priority properties.
                 (iii) | The immediate establishment costs associated with acquired parcels of land including,
                      but not limited to, management planning, fencing, weed management and fire
                      management.
                 (iv) 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.

           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 where the considered future use of such portions 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 Act
                       1994 or the Nature Conservation Act 2014) and expressly protects and manages the
                      conservation values of the property.
                 (ili) | 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.
           Council may seek to maximise opportunities for purchasing lands utilising external funding where
           appropriate. Any acquisition and disposal of land will be carried out in accordance with the Local
           Government Act 2009. The Levy may not be used to acquire land for parks where the primary
           purpose is recreation.

           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.

           2.    Support for Private Land Conservation Partnerships
           The   Voluntary   Conservation    Agreement    (VCA)    program   is  a_  high-level  protective
           maechanismpartnership agreement_ that supports private landholders wishing to conserve their
           property's environmental values in perpetuity by placing a protective mechanism on title over some
           or all of the property. Available protective mechanisms are a Nature Refuge under the Nature
           Conservation Act 2014, a Conservation Covenant under the      Land Act 1994, and Environment
           Management and Conservation zoning under the planning scheme.
           Council may provide incentives to VCA landholders for environmental works as per an agreed
           Environment Management Plan.

                                                                                                    Page 2

                                                                                                     Page 9 of 172