2018-09-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   11 SEPTEMBER 2018




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             11 SEPTEMBER 2018

           POLICY GUIDELINE -— Private Landholder Conservation Partnerships
           e     Landholders that have a minimum of 1 hectare of conservation area on their property
                 considered ‘retained habitat’ or ‘habitat under restoration’ as defined in the Land for Wildlife
                 Queensland Guideline.
           e     Landholders demonstrating their intention and commitment to manage their property to
                 maintain and enhance native flora and fauna in a way that attempts to integrate nature
                 conservation with other land management objectives.
           Support for Land for Wildlife
           Council may offer different levels of support subject to available resources:
           Level 1
           Council will provide support for new and existing members of the Land for Wildlife Program in the
           following way:
           °     Undertake a site visit and property assessment and report for new members
           °     Provision of a Land for Wildlife sign to display
           °     Quarterly newsletter
           °     Annual event such as open property, workshop or forum.
           Level 2
           °     As above; and
           e     Revisits to existing members
           °     An annual incentives program which may consist of free trees, next boxes, workshops,
                 resource books, open days or other initiatives consistent with the intent of the LfW Program.
           VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION AGREEMENT (VCA) PROGRAM
           The Voluntary Conservation Agreement Program is a voluntary agreement between Council and
           eligible landholders to protect a conservation area within their property that carries on title. Through
           this agreement, Council may provide a range of financial incentives to assist the landholder with this
           process.
           The head of power to deliver the VCA program rests with the Environment Levy Policy. The
           Conservation Land Guideline provides a mapping methodology that identifies Council strategic
           approach and priority land parcels of interest.
           Eligibility
           Residents that are eligible for the VCA program include:
           °     Landholders with land parcels of high biodiversity values, of significant size and located next to
                 or within Core Protected Areas; and/or
           °     Landholders with land parcels that occur within biodiversity corridors between Core Protected
                 Areas (See Map Appendix 1); and
           e     Landholders where there is demonstrated commitment to achieving conservation outcomes,
                 and confidence that by entering into the VCA program they will protect and enhance the
                 covenant area guided by an Environment Management Plan.
           In certain circumstances, landholders with land outside these areas and criteria may be considered
           for VCA if the land has a unique environmental significance, for example the land retains the last
           remaining stand of an endangered ecosystem or species.
           All applications for VCAs will be assessed and prioritised by the Environment Levy Working Group
           annually according to available resources and budgeting utilising the Environment Levy Policy
           criteria and Conservation Land Guideline for guidance.

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