6:02p.m. 23rd January 2008

Maroochy Council says a new report demonstrates the environment levy is returning healthy dividends for the community.

Maroochy Mayor Joe Natoli said Environment Levy funds gave council the resources to critically investigate new opportunities and to adapt to emerging environmental issues of local, national and international significance.

“Maroochy Council has shown leadership supporting changes to the Environment Levy but safeguarding and improving our environment can only be achieved by working together,” said Cr Natoli.

“This Report details the growth in supportive community activity as well as tangible results from sustainability, biodiversity and Maroochy River Recovery projects.

“It makes very clear that investing Environment Levy funds in a broad range of projects pays dividends.”

“EL funds have enabled council to provide direction through the development of a Sustainability Action Plan that focuses on climate change, population growth and peak oil.

“Protecting the region’s rich biodiversity is another high priority area utilising EL funds.

“Highlights include approval to pursue the acquisition of four new landholdings, three year management plans for all lands purchased with EL funds and real achievements managing and reducing some of the regions environmental pests.

“Improving the region’s waterways through the Maroochy River Recovery Initiate has been Council’s flagship environmental program since 2004.

“While Stage 1 has won national and international awards, Maroochy River Recovery Stage 2 is underway, focussing on increasing community participation in river management and the rehabilitation of freshwater and estuarine reaches of the river.

“Key to this is Council’s Erosion and Sediment Control Improvement Program which leads the way in policy and planning, education and training in SE Queensland. In addition, the State of the Waterways Report provides sound science to pinpoint problems and tailor specific catchment management actions.”