Natural Environment Levy

The Natural Environment Levy was introduced by Council in 2003 to fund environmental projects across the Mackay area.  Ratepayers contribute $10 half 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
  • esure 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 percent) is set aside for the purpose of strategic land acquisition.  Council has a land acquisition policy (PDF 40.5kb) which is use to guide the acquisition of land.

Natural Environment Program

The Natural Environment Program is funded through the levy.  A wide variety of projects are undertaken each year and include:

  • conserving, protecting and rehabilitating native vegetation and habitats
  • propagating indigenous plants from locally collected seed and cuttings to use in revegetation programs
  • educating the community and interpreting the natural environment through the installation of signage, production of brochures, and conducting workshops and talks
  • monitoring and research projects that contribute to our understanding of the natural environment 
  • developing strategic and management plans to guide decision-making

For more details about the current range of projects being undertaken, click here

The 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 and three Council Officers.  Meetings are held bimonthly.

The committee's operation is guided by the Natural Environment Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 44.6kb).

The role of the committee is:

  • To identify avenues for greater involvement of the local community in Natural Resource Management
  • To review and make recommendations on various regional programs eg MWNRM Strategic Plan, Healthy Waterways, Monitoring Programs, Sustainable Landscape Program, Land for Wildlife Program
  • Provide advice (where necessary) on environmentally significant land for its suitability for acquisition utilising the Environmental Land Acquisition Reserve
  • Review implementation of Stormwater Quality Management Plans
  • Provide input into the development of a local government vegetation protection policy and other 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 2007

NEAC meeting minutes February 2007 (PDF 133.6kb)

NEAC meeting minutes April 2007 (PDF 117.6kb)

NEAC meeting minutes July 2007 (PDF 120kb)

NEAC meeting minutes August 2007 (PDF 102 kb)

NEAC meeting minutes October 2007 (PDF 119 kb)

NEAC meeting minutes December 2007 (PDF 114 kb)

 

Community Environmental Projects

Find out more about about applying for funding to undertake a Community Environmental Project in partnership with Council.