2018-04-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   10 APRIL 2018




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              10 APRIL 2018

      1.      Introduction

      Noosa Shire Council is pleased to support the Community Bushland Care Program and our dedicated
      network of community volunteers.
      The Community Bushland Care program has been operating in Noosa Shire since 2002 and through
      this program volunteers and local community organisations have made significant contributions to the
      natural environment.

      The program is a partnership arrangement between Council and community volunteers who find
      reward contributing to positive change in their local bushland areas and aligns with the Corporate
      goal: ‘Our environment is protected, enhanced and valued by the community’ and ‘Our community is
      connected, safe and happy and able to meet their potential’.
      The ‘Council and Community Bushland Care Partnership - Operational Guidelines’ provides a
      framework for a program that has been established for many years in partnership with staff, volunteers
      and community organisations.
      Community Bushland Care volunteers continue to demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm in
      achieving environmental outcomes and provide additional support and management of ecologically
      significant bushland. This guideline outlines Council’s support, recognition and ongoing commitment
      to this valued partnership.

      2.      Aims and Objectives
      The principal aims of the volunteer Community Bushland Care Program are to involve local community
      members in ecological restoration projects, instil community pride, foster community awareness and
      improve environmental outcomes in Noosa’s locally ecologically significant bushland areas.
      In doing this, Council aims to provide a fair and equitable standard of service to all Community
      Bushland Care groups based on needs and available resources.
      The volunteer Community Bushland Care Program’s objectives are to:
      e  Involve the wider community in ecological restoration, creation of resilient native flora and fauna
         communities, habitats, linkages and corridors.
      e  Create a sense of place between local residents and their natural environment.
      e  Provide training to increase the skills and knowledge of volunteers to ensure best-practice
         ecological restoration principles are utilised in all activities.
      e  Ensure volunteers undertake activities safely and in accordance with Council's objectives, policies
         and procedures and legislative responsibilities.
      e  Provide volunteers with a program that provides appropriate levels of support and recognition of
         volunteer’s efforts.
      e  Encourage community participation and action through education of conservation values and
         management issues relating to the Noosa Shire.

      Council and Community Bushland Care — Operational Guidelines                            Page 2

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