Council introduced the Environmental Levy as a means of undertaking environmental management works. The levy has been well accepted by the community and currently raises around $1 million per annum for local environmental works at an average cost of $34 per rate payer. 

Applications have now closed for the 2013-2014 for Environmental Levy funding.

This year a wide range of projects benefited from the funding. They included: 

• Jetty Dunecare Group for weeds eradication on the Jetty Foreshores.
• Orara River Restoration Project for weed eradication, erosion control and revegetation of the river system.
• Control of the Indian Myna bird pest.
• The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk project, which will provide a series of linked headland walkways and access stairs that will take walkers all the way from Sawtell to Arrawarra.
• Hogbin Drive Koala fencing.
• Bushland regeneration.
• Continuation of the Coffs Ambassadors Volunteer Interpretive Tours which give volunteers the opportunity to run tours of sites of interest in the area for residents and visitors.