2015-01-12 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                               12 January 2015


An Environment Levy Guideline would provide detail in relation to Voluntary Conservation
Agreements (VCAs) including:
•     The process of developing a VCA with a landholder, and the recoupment of any costs to
      Council if a landholder decides not to proceed.
•     The life of the VCA agreement and arrangements when a VCA property is sold or leased.
•     The minimum and maximum amount of financial incentive based on the size of the
      covenant.
•     The scope, structure and components of the Environmental Management Plan including
      fire management planning.
3.    Contributions to the Noosa Biosphere Trust

The principal purposes of the Trust Deed for the Noosa Biosphere Trust are:
(1)   Advancing the protection and enhancement of a significant aspect of the natural
      environment, being the natural ecosystems and biodiversity of the Noosa Biosphere
      Reserve; and
(2)   Advancing research, education and information about a significant aspect of the natural
      environment, being the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
Environment Levy funds can be allocated to the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust to fund projects
that are directed towards protecting and advancing the natural environment. The actual amount
of levy funds to be used for this purpose will be determined through annual budget deliberations.
Connectivity
In conjunction with the Environmental Levy Guideline it is proposed to identify Strategic
Biodiversity Corridors (as referred to in the Policy). Strategic Biodiversity Corridors are broad
tracts of vegetated, cleared or partly cleared land, extending across the Noosa landscape that
consolidate or connect core habitat, and can occur across private and/or public land. Clearly
identifying corridors provides direction to Council and the community for conservation and
protection activities.

The identification and mapping of Strategic Biodiversity Corridors may be based upon the Noosa
Plan mapped Biodiversity Overlay, open space network planning studies and scientific reports on
Noosa fauna and flora values.

Environment Levy Working Group

An Environment Levy Working Group is proposed to be formed to make recommendations to
Council on the spending of Environment Levy funds. The following Committee nominations are
proposed:

Principal Environment Officer
Senior Environment Officer (Planning)
Natural Areas Operational Coordinator
Coordinator Property and Land Management
Principal Strategic Planner (Land Use)
Coordinator Financial Services
One Councillor appointed by Council

Previous Council Consideration

Nil



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