2018-09-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   11 SEPTEMBER 2018




                                                        Page 72 of 95

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            11 SEPTEMBER 2018

           POLICY GUIDELINE — REVOLVING FUND

           POLICY GUIDELINE
           Land suitable for a revolving fund is identified through the methodology outlined in the
           Conservation Land Guideline (CLP)
           The Conservation Land Guideline identifies the types of land parcels suitable for acquisition.
           The following types of land parcels are not suitable for a revolving fund:
           °     Land parcels identified in the Guideline and located next to the Noosa River, Lake Weyba or
                 on Noosa North Shore are considered a priority for acquisition because of future potential
                 threats (future development or clearing of trees for views). These parcels are recommended
                 for the highest level of protection as public land either as Council Nature Refuge or transfer
                 to National Park.
           e     Land that is 100% vegetated is not suitable for a revolving fund because for re-sale purposes
                 the land would need a cleared house site.

           The following types of land parcels are suitable for a revolving fund as identified in the Guideline:
           °     Have high biodiversity value
           °     Consolidate or connect Core Protected Areas consisting of National Park, Nature Refuge
                 and/or Bushland Reserve
           e     Have a Suitable house site area for re-sale purposes
           °     Meet State Government criteria for Nature Refuge gazettal

           Parcels of land proposed for a revolving fund are to be assessed on a case by case basis by the
           Environment Levy Working Group and recommendations made to Council.
           Costs to restore land can sourced from the Environment Levy, offsets or grants
           Ecological restoration of land can be funded by:
           e     The Environment Levy
           e     Environment offsets
           e     Carbon offsets
           °     Federal and State grants

           Land with infrastructure can be purchased
           Most large land parcels suitable for acquisition also have dwellings, sheds or other infrastructure.
           There is a provision in the Environment Levy Policy to allow for the purchase of land including
           building structures. Depending on the condition of the infrastructure, it may be re-conditioned or
           removed and any costs funded from the Environment Levy.
           Establishment costs to be funded by the Environment Levy
           As per the Environment Levy Policy establishment costs including ecological restoration and
           Nature Refuge Agreement processing can be funded by the Levy.
           The Revolving Fund Program must meet financial accountability standards
           It is not always possible to anticipate the property market. Secondly, placing a Nature Refuge over
           land may be seen as an encumbrance and impact on a properties valuation. A business case will
           be required to demonstrate that each revolving fund property transaction will not run at a loss
           taking into account stamp duty, legal costs, sales costs, infrastructure charges and holding costs
           such as property maintenance.

                                                                                                     Page 2

                                                                                                     Page 72 of 95