Natural Environment Levy
The Natural Environment Levy was introduced by council in 2003 to fund environmental projects across the Mackay area. This scheme was extended to the entire municipality in 2008 following council amalgamations. Ratepayers contribute to the levy yearly via their rates.
The aim of the levy is to fund projects that address the following broad objectives:
- Protect, manage and enhance ecologically significant areas on public and private land and encourage best practice in native vegetation and waterway management
- Monitor health of native vegetation, water quality and ecosystems
- Provide a range of types and styles of projects including pilot projects
- Ensure an integrated catchment management focus to ensure multiple benefits (i.e. for biodiversity, land degradation, water quality, community wellbeing, economic and commercial gains)
Land acquisition
Each year, a proportion of funds (20 per cent) is set aside for the purpose of strategic land acquisition. Council has a land acquisition policy (PDF 100 KB) which is use to guide the acquisition of land.
Natural Environment Advisory Committee
The Natural Environment Advisory Committee has been set up to make recommendations to council about the appropriate environmental projects that may be funded via the levy.
The committee currently consists of two councillors, three community representatives, four local agency representatives and three council officers. Meetings are held bimonthly.
The committee's operation is guided by the Natural Environment Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 79 KB).
The role of the committee is:
- To identify avenues for greater involvement of the local community in Natural Resource Management activities
- To review and make recommendations on various regional programs and reports
- Provide advice (where necessary) on environmentally significant land for its suitability for acquisition utilising the Environmental Land Acquisition Fund
- Review implementation of Stormwater Quality Management Plans
- Provide input into the development of relevant environmental policies
- To review the framework and program of the Committee on a regular basis to ensure it encompasses current environmental issues and priorities
NEAC meeting minutes 2017
- Neac meeting minutes February 2017 (PDF 306 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes May 2017 (PDF 312 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes June 2017 (PDF 317 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes August 2017 (PDF 316 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2016
- Neac meeting minutes March 2016 (PDF 297 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes November 2016 (PDF 318 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes December 2016 (PDF 302 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2015
- Neac meeting minutes February 2015 (PDF 137 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes May 2015 (PDF 300 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes August 2015 (PDF 306 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes November 2015 (PDF 131 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes December 2015 (PDF 304 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2014
- Neac meeting minutes February 2014 (PDF 87 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes April 2014 (PDF 86 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes June 2014 (PDF 88 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes August 2014 (PDF 99 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes October 2014 (PDF 338 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes December 2014 (PDF 308 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2013
- Neac meeting minutes February 2013 (PDF 94 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes March 2013 (PDF 55 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes June 2013 (PDF 48 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes August 2013 (PDF 103 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes October 2013 (PDF 91 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes December 2013 (PDF 109 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2012
- Neac meeting minutes February 2012 (PDF 66 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes April 2012 (PDF 43 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes August 2012 (PDF 133 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes October 2012 (PDF 117 KB)
- Neac meeting minutes December 2012 (PDF 78 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2011
- NEAC meeting minutes February 2011 (PDF 62 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes April 2011 (PDF 45 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes June 2011 (PDF 46 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes August 2011 (PDF 64 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes October 2011 (PDF 75 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes December 2011 (PDF 67 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2010
- NEAC meeting minutes February 2010 (PDF 47 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes April 2010 (PDF 36 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes June 2010 (PDF 36 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes August 2010 (PDF 56 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes October 2010 (PDF 60 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes December 2010 (PDF 64KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2009
- NEAC meeting minutes February 2009 (PDF 92 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes March 2009 (PDF 100 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes June 2009 (PDF 101 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes August 2009 (PDF 114 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes October 2009 (PDF 94 KB)
NEAC meeting minutes 2008
- NEAC meeting minutes September 2008 (PDF 139 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes November 2008 (PDF 172 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes December 2008 (PDF 100 KB) (Special meeting)
NEAC meeting minutes 2007
- NEAC meeting minutes February 2007 (PDF 133.6 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes April 2007 (PDF 117.6 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes July 2007 (PDF 120 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes August 2007 (PDF 102 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes October 2007 (PDF 119 KB)
- NEAC meeting minutes December 2007 (PDF 114 KB)