Caloundra City Council's Environment Levy
Local government provides some environmental planning, projects and services through income received from general rates.
To supplement income from general rates, a separate rate or charge known as a levy can be applied equally on all ratepayers.
In 1991, the Caloundra City Environment Levy was introduced at a charge of two dollars per rateable property. This charge has gradually risen and is currently $66 per ratepayer (2007/2008 financial year).
- Policy statement
- Proposed allocation of Environment Levy
- Actual Environment Levy revenue and expenditure
- Environment Levy exemptions
Environment Levy policy statement
In May 2005, Council endorsed a Policy Statement on the Use of the Environment Levy (Reference No. 4.03.3). You can download a copy of the policy statement, or read the overview.
Environment Levy Policy Statement (21kb)
Policy overview
The purpose of the policy is to:
- guide the distribution, effective use and reporting of funds raised from Council's Environment Levy
- detail the procedures for the raising of funds, administration, allocation, tracking and reporting of the Environment Levy
Funds collected from the Environment Levy can be allocated to the following categories:
A. Protection of environmentally significant areas through:
- acquisition or other securement mechanisms
- partnership arrangements
- relevant local laws
- environmental planning and policy
This includes payment of loans for past environmental land acquisition.
B. Management of bushland reserves and conservation areas:
- under Council ownership or trusteeship
- coastal and estuarine areas
- inland waterways
This includes:
- fire management
- flora and fauna surveys
- habitat restoration
- weed management
- revegetation
- waterways management
- litter control
- infrastructure construction and maintenance
C. Encouragement of individual and community based environmental initiatives through:
- nature conservation partnerships
- financial incentives
- management assistance
- education
This includes:
- Land for Wildlife Program
- Voluntary Conservation Agreements
- conservation group support
- other various financial in-kind support and education programs
Proposed allocation of Environment Levy
The Environment Levy contributes to the protection of our City’s conservation and biodiversity values.
In addition, it contributes to environmental services and programs associated with environmental and ecosystem health, including:
- water quality
- air quality
- soil conservation
- bushfire risk mitigation
- public safety issues associated with the management of natural areas
The expected revenue of the Environment Levy for the 2007/2008 financial year equates to $2,647,827 which contributes to specific nature conservation and environmental programs and services to the value of $3,303,536.
The table below shows how the anticipated Environment Levy revenue for the 2007/2008 financial year will be allocated.
Description |
Amount ($) (Forecast) |
Protection of environmentally significant lands through acquisition or other securement mechanisms. |
$185,000 |
Development and compliance of relevant environmental local laws. |
$90,000 |
Environmental planning and policy development. |
$161,203 |
Management of bushland reserves and conservation areas under Council ownership or trusteeship. |
$1,031,718 |
Management of coastal and estuarine areas and inland waterways throughout the City. |
$238,545 |
Pest management. |
$145,000 |
Community conservation support (e.g. Land for Wildlife, Voluntary Conservation Agreement program, grants, etc). |
$592,873 |
Moreton Bay Waterways and Partnerships |
$20,000 |
Delivery of environmental education. |
$98,488 |
Implementation of Greenhouse Action Plan |
$85,000 |
TOTAL |
$2,647,827 |
Actual Environment Levy revenue and expenditure
Environment Levy revenue and expenditure is reported each year in Council's Annual Reports.
For further information on the Environment Levy, contact Council on (07) 5420 8200 or email the environment policy team.
Environment Levy exemptions
Exemptions from payment of the Environment Levy may be granted to ratepayers who participate in Council’s Conservation Agreement program, or a similar program as deemed appropriate by Council.