Environmental programs given a $257,000 boost
Fraser Coast Regional Council environmental programs will be given a $257,000 boost.
Cr Jade Wellings said a temporary Natural Environment Project Officer would be employed; the Land for Wildlife Program would be extended and a regional environment strategy would be developed with the funds remaining from Council’s former Environmental Levy.
“Council is determined to do what we can to respect and preserve our unique natural environment and these three initiatives will help to achieve that goal,” she said.
“In 2018 Council re-introduced the Land for Wildlife program and now more than 100 property owners involved in managing more than 40,000ha of bushland, so it’s fantastic that the program is going to be extended for another year.
“A portion of the leftover levy funds will also be used to employ a temporary Natural Environment Projects Officer to develop community initiatives to help manage the 7,478 hectares of bushland under Council control.
“The project officer would be essential in the development and delivery of the ‘Respecting our Natural Environment’ initiative, a proactive approach to minimising damage from illegal activities in Council managed natural areas.
“They would also tackle projects to protect threatened species in Council managed bushland.”
The development of an Environment Strategy would help guide Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, highlight opportunities for sustainability, enhanced water and waste management and a healthier natural environment.
“The Environment Strategy would identify Council’s legal obligations and community expectations,” Cr Wellings said.
“We have to find a balance between what the community expects Council to provide in the way of environmental management against what we have the power to do under various pieces of legislation.
“The development of the strategy will also help us gauge the success of existing Council environmental initiatives and recommend how we can build on those successes.”
Funds collected under the levy were used to buy and manage five properties containing environmentally significant land as well as other conservation initiatives.
Properties included two lots on the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road, two on River Heads Road and one at Takura.
The land on River Heads Road has significant habitat for the vulnerable , black-breasted button-quail and koala and includes endangered vegetation communities and wetland areas.
At Beelbi Creek on the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road, the Council bought 42 ha on two adjoining blocks which have rare plants such as the paperbark Melaleuca cheelii, and vulnerable wallum froglets.
It also includes locally threatened vegetation communities, wetlands and is part of a State designated significant regional wildlife corridor.
The 60 ha Takura block includes 25 ha eucalypt forest and rainforest which is a great representation of the original vegetation that once covered large parts of the Fraser Coast and includes dominant stands of Kauri Pine.