2014-06-17 Infrastructure and Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   17 JUNE 2014




                                                     Page 69 of 86

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    17 JUNE 2014

  STRATEGIC POLICY — ENVIRONMENT LEVY

     e  The amount of Environment Levy revenue allocated to each of the three primary funding themes
         is determined based on an assessment of annual priorities and emerging needs and endorsed by
         council;
     e   Environment Levy revenue, including reserve funds should not be available at any time for
        expenditure as general revenue;
     e   Other than funding associated with the operational expenses phase out, Environment Levy
         revenue is not to fund projects which are considered to be core council business.
     e  Any unspent funds associated with each of the three primary funding themes is returned to the
         Environment Levy reserves and made available for expenditure in the following financial year
        within the same funding theme.
     e   Environment Levy Reserves can be used to fund the acquisitions of land on the endorsed
        forward program when allocated funds for this theme have been expended (SM10/029).
     e  The Environment Levy policy and program can be used for leveraging funding through grants and
         partnership opportunities offered by government and other organisations.   However, future
        financial commitments cannot be made unless endorsed by council.
     e¢ The management of flying foxes in accordance with the Sunshine Coast Regional Flying Fox
         Management Plan is considered to be effective and responsive management and is eligible for
         Environment Levy funding.
  Environment Levy communication and reporting
     e  Anannual Environment Levy progress report is prepared and presented to Council each year;
     ¢   Quarterly updates of the Environment Levy's endorsed Program are provided to Council using
        the appropriate reporting tool;
     e  The promotion and communication of Environment Levy funded projects and other initiatives are
        to comply with the council endorsed Environment Levy “Look and Feel Guidelines”.
  Acquisition of environmentally significant land
     ¢  Allocated funding can be expended on costs associated with the land purchase, associated
         planning and legal matters and the establishment of the acquired land.
     e   Property development initiatives that maintain conservation values may be undertaken on land
        acquired through the Environment Levy to raise additional revenue or recoup some of the costs
        associated with the acquisition.
     ¢  The Environment Levy revenue is not to be used to acquire land for parks where the primary
         purpose is recreation.
     e   If approved by council, additional funds may be borrowed to assist with purchasing
        environmentally significant land.
     e  Any acquisition and disposal of land is carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act
        2009.

     e   Establishment costs are allocated as a percentage of the annual capital acquisition funding
        allocation.

     ¢   Newly acquired land is established as per the requirements determined by an initial site
        assessment and property management plans.
  Sunshine Coast Regional Council                                                   Page 4 of 7
                                                                                       Page 69 of 86