2015-04-28 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  28 APRIL 2015


Current Situation
Land for Wildlife (LFW) Programme
Through Council’s partnership with SEQ Catchments, LFW provides landholder extension
advice to new participants and the existing members on an “as needs” basis regarding
natural resource management. The program delivery includes the:
•    Assessment of new member applications, undertaking property visits, provision of
     LFW signs, plant species list for the property, fauna habitat assessments and advice
     on weed control, feral animals and vegetation rehabilitation projects;
•    Follow up and visiting existing LFW members and providing extension advice on
     property management;
•    Administration of the programme including distribution of the SEQ LFW quarterly
     newsletter and maintaining the enQuire database of all the LFW landholders and
     activities, registering and de-registering properties;
•    Sourcing of grants for landholder incentives such as free trees, nest boxes and natural
     resource management publications (in the past Council funded these incentives
     through general rates).
Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) Program
VCAs provide financial incentives to landholders to manage their covenant areas in
accordance with an agreed environment management plan. The environment management
plan provides a prioritisation of natural resource management actions which are required to
be undertaken in order to provide optimal allocation of the financial incentive. The financial
incentives range from $1500 to $5000 per annum. The landholder may also elect to receive
a reimbursement of the general rates paid, in accordance with the portion of land protected.
The VCA Program is funded through the Environmental Levy.
Environment Levy Policy
In January 2015 Council adopted the Environment Levy Policy. The purpose of this policy is
to raise funds to conserve and/or improve biodiversity in the Noosa Shire. One of the key
aims of the levy is to support the VCA Program where such involvement adds to the
protection/enhancement of biodiversity in the Noosa Shire and/or promotes or enhances
biodiversity and wildlife corridors.
Future Directions
In December 2014, a meeting of Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement
holders was held at Pomona. At this meeting the landholders were given an opportunity to
provide feedback on the programs. This feedback primarily related to requests for:
•    Extension services - Education and advice on natural resource management and pest
     control for conservation of biodiversity values.
•    Provision of field days
•    Provision of incentives to encourage participation in voluntary conservation Programs
These requests will be considered as part of the 2015/16 budget development.

Previous Council Consideration
Adoption of the Environmental Levy Policy on 15 January 2015.

Finance & Risk
The LFW Programme funding will be considered during the 2015/16 budget development.




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