Meeting papers

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                               11 APRIL 2023


Finance
All program activities are funded out of the Environment Levy. Under this proposal, annual incentive
payments for the existing 23 VCA properties will increase from $$59,597 to 76,026., an increase of
$16,429.
Any rate refunds that landowners may be entitled to will come out of the existing annual funding
allocation for that specific VCA property so there is no additional expenditure required.
The proposed split zoning program will be resourced using existing staff. In the current round of
planning scheme amendments 7 properties are flagged for gazettal under the Noosa Plan as split
zoned to Environmental Management and Conservation Zone. Under the proposed incentive
funding, this will cost $10,500 annual funding for three years, to be funded out of the Environment
levy.
In summary the proposed amendments (if fully adopted) will cost up to $26,930 per annum over and
above the current budget allocation from the Environment Levy.


Risk & Opportunities
There is some increased cost to Council to meet the growing demand from landowners wishing to
engage in these programs and to deliver additional financial incentives as outlined above. However
as demonstrated in the report it is more cost effective to work with private landowners compared to
Council purchasing and managing land. In addition, evidence from the previous three financial years
Land for Wildlife incentive program and the recent survey shows that there is a significant return on
Council investment through landowner labour and provision of materials. It should also be noted that
LfW and VCA program resourcing goes directly into on -ground activities which support local
hinterland businesses through contract services and provision of materials such as tube stock.

These proposed amendments to the Private Land Conservation Policy Guideline represent an
opportunity for Council to expand its private land conservation program and address the Environment
Strategy target of 50% of land in Noosa Shire managed for conservation by 2030.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Land for Wildlife member survey 2022 results.
Internal Consultation
Departments/Sections Consulted:
Environmental Services
Financial Services
Property
Environment Levy Working Group




     Mayor                       Community Services                         Corporate Services

     Councillors                 Director                                   Director

                                 Community Development                 X    Financial Services

     Chief Executive Officer     Community Facilities                       Fleet

     Executive Support           Libraries & Galleries                      ICT

                                 Local Laws                                 Procurement




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