2021-01-18 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                18 JANUARY 2021


6.    Management considerations
Under the Environment Levy Policy, recurrent land management operational costs can be funded
by the Levy. The main management considerations for 325 & 375 Lake Flat Road are invasive
species and fire. Deer, foxes, wild dogs and wild pigs occur in the area. The land parcels are
relatively weed free except for edge effects. Invasive species would be managed as part of reserve
management requirements guided by the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020. Given the good condition
of the vegetation an Ecological Restoration Plan is not required.
The vegetation is mapped as High Potential Bushfire Intensity and would be managed consistent
with Noosa Bushland Reserve Fire Management Plan. The two land parcels are surrounded by
road reserve and fire trails are located either within the road reserves or on adjoining land. There
may be a need to expand the fire trail network in the future and it is recommended that if purchased,
a Bushland Reserve Fire Management Plan be developed specific for the site at a cost of
approximately $4,500.
The eastern side is fenced, northern side partially fenced and there is an internal fence in poor
condition that may present a wildlife hazard and could be removed.
Council’s Natural Areas advise that the annual cost to manage the land if purchased would be
$7,290 per annum based on requirements for similar reserves. This would be funded as a recurrent
land management operational cost as allowed under the Environment Levy Policy.
Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 20 February 2020, Item 9, Page 6
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning and Environment
Committee Meeting dated 11 February 2019 and:
A.     Authorise the CEO to commence negotiations with the owner of the two lots detailed in the
       report to purchase the land with the Environment Levy; and
B.     Submit offers no greater than the valuation price shown in Attachment 1 to the report; and
C.     Remove the confidentiality in relation to this report upon the signing of a contract to
       purchase.
Finance
Council’s Financial Services branch advise there are currently sufficient funds in the Environment
Levy Reserves for a potential purchase.
Bugler Francis Valuers have assessed the value of 325 & 375 Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point (88ha)
at $925,000 or $10,500/hectare. This is more expensive than Council’s most recent purchase of
1675 Louis Bazzo Drive, Boreen Point, (51.5ha) for $395,000 or $7,700/hectare, but was valued
at $425,000 or $8,247/hectare. The price difference is because the Louis Bazzo Drive land is flood
mapped and the Lake Flat Road land is relatively flood free. In addition approximately 20% of the
Lake Flat Road property is mapped as Category X under the Vegetation Management Act 1999
and can be cleared, for example, for farm forestry purposes. The valuer has considered
commercial potential in the valuation.
Management costs are summarised in the table below:




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