2015-01-12 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  12 January 2015


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. 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 to act 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.
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
     Government Act 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.
2.   Funding for Voluntary Conservation Agreements
a)   Costs of surveying the covenant.
b)   Costs associated with developing the agreement.
c)   A potential rate contribution when all outcomes of the Environment Management Plan are
     met.
3.   Funding of Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust
Levy funds may be allocated to Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust for dissemination by Noosa
Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd in accordance with the purposes of the Trust Deed.
The amount of money allocated from the Levy to Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust will be
determined during annual budget deliberations. Information provided by Noosa Biosphere
Reserve Foundation Ltd to Noosa Council may be used to help make this determination.

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