REVISED POLICY GUIDELINES- PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS · report

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                            11 APRIL 2023



Table 1. Comparison of land acquisition and VCA costs (SCC data 2009 - 2013)
Land acquisition      Cost per hectare      VCA                    Cost per hectare
Purchase              $20,000               Establishment          $580
Annual Maintenance$500                      Annual maintenance $190
Total                 $20,500               Total                  $670

An overview of the programs offered through Private Land Conservation Partnerships and proposed
changes are detailed below.

Land for Wildlife (LfW) program update
The LfW program engages with owners of rural and rural residential properties to protect and
improve biodiversity values and waterway health through assisted natural regeneration, invasive
species management, revegetation, and sustainable land use. The program assists with rebuilding
wildlife corridor linkages in strategic locations such as between core protected areas, enabling
movement of fauna and flora species.

LfW is a voluntary program that does not have any legal binding on the property. Council has been
part of the LfW South East Queensland (SEQ) network since 1998, alongside 12 other SEQ
Councils. The LfW SEQ Terms of Reference document (within the policy guideline) outlines
arrangements for SEQ Councils to deliver the LFW program. The SEQ LfW program is co-ordinated
by a full-time position overseen by a steering committee comprising officers from the 13 SEQ
Councils. A host Council undertakes administrative tasks on behalf of the SEQ Councils, this role is
currently provided by Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and from June 30th 2023, Brisbane City
Council will be the host Council for the next three years.

All 13 SEQ Councils contribute funds to support regional co-ordination, maintenance and upgrades
of the regional LfW database, newsletter production, and periodic member surveys. The funding
level is based on the number of LfW members in each Council. Noosa Council’s contribution for the
2022-23 financial year is $14,400.

Noosa Shire has seen strong growth in the program over the last 4 years, as of March 2023 there
are 411 LfW members collectively managing 435 properties covering 5227 hectares of the Shire
(Figure 2). Figure 3 indicates program growth since inception in 1998.