City of Coffs Harbour introduced the Environmental Levy as a means of undertaking environmental management works.
The levy currently raises around $1.3 million per annum for local environmental works at an average cost of $44 per rate payer.
We recognise the value and importance in providing an environmental program that offers and delivers opportunities to help sustain and improve the local environment.
The Environmental Levy Policy sets out the framework for how the funds are allocated.
The Environmental Levy is allocated in two streams: 75% of the fund is allocated to Major Strategic Projects and 25% to the Environmental Levy Grants program.
Environmental Levy Grants Program
Under the Program, grants are available to community organisations for projects starting from 1 July each financial year, worth between $2,000 and $25,000 per project.
The objectives of the Environmental Levy Grants Program are to ensure that the allocation of Environmental Levy funds support the achievement of the MyCoffs Community Strategic Plan - A natural environment sustained for the future:
- We protect the diversity of our natural environment (C2.1)
- We use resources responsibly to support a safe and stable climate (C2.2)
For more information, view the Environmental Levy Policy and Environmental Levy Grants Program Guidelines.
Applications for the 2025/2026 Environmental Levy Grants Program will be delayed.
Environmental Levy major strategic projects and programs
Major Strategic projects and programs funded by the Environmental Levy are long term and strategically important. They are included in the four-year Delivery Program adopted by Council.
Environmental Levy funding is provided by an annual allocation over the four-year term. The current Delivery Program commenced 1 July 2022.
Areas for consideration include:
- Environmental Levy Coordination
- Bush Regeneration
- Environmental Weed Management
- Biodiversity Strategies
- Waterway Health Initiatives
- Coastal Initiatives
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Health and Water Quality Research Initiatives
Projects and programs may be delivered by City of Coffs Harbour or in partnership with or through community organisations, research institutions and/or other government bodies.
Environmental Levy Major Strategic Projects for 2024/25:
|
Applicant
|
Project Name
|
Amount ($)
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Conservation & Sustainable Management of the Natural Environment
|
169,274
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Environmental Levy Coordination
|
68,558
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Improving Diversity within CHCC Bushland Reserves
|
193,833
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Management of Key Environmental Weeds within Council Managed Lands
|
121,043
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Community Sustainable Living Program
|
156,089
|
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Hearnes Lake Taskforce |
46,533 |
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Great Koala National Park Support |
15,000 |
| Jetty Dunecare Inc |
Boambee Creek to Coffs Creek: Rehabilitation of coastal corridor connections |
100,000 |
|
Orara Valley Rivercare Groups Management Committee
|
Orara River Rehabilitation Project
|
235,595
|
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Supporting Community Landcare Action in the Coffs Harbour LGA
|
261,389
|
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance program support
|
15,500
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Korora Lagoons Remediation
|
175,000
|
|
Total
|
|
1,557,814
|
Successful Projects 2024/25 Environmental Levy Grants Program:
|
Applicant
|
Project Name
|
Amount ($)
|
|
Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council
|
Bush regeneration, hand pulling weed control with cut and paint (Brodie Drive to walking trail, Lot 5 DP 1295759)
|
25,000
|
|
Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council
|
Bush regeneration, hand pulling weed control with cut and paint techniques (walking trail north side of Coffs Creek, Lot 4 DP 1295759)
|
25,000
|
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Conserving the natural characteristics of our Coastal Walk Headlands |
24,980 |
| Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare |
Creating more resilient landscapes - in coastal and riparian areas |
24,780 |
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Creating more resilient landscapes - Protecting Endangered Ecological Communities
|
24,700
|
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Growing Our Future 2024/2025
|
24,988
|
| Coffs Regional Community Gardens Association |
Benefits of urban food production |
12,000 |
| First Light Farm |
Lantana eradication in ecologically sensitive Conservation Zone (C2) |
5,000 |
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Canine scent detectives promoting koala population health in Coffs coast corridors |
25,000
|
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Dolmans Point Littoral Rainforest Restoration |
25,000
|
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Jaliigirr SOS Southern Pink Underwing Moth Project
|
25,000
|
|
Jetty Dunecare Inc
|
Jetty Dunecare Jordan Esplanade revegetation and weed control
|
15,900
|
|
Julie Johnson
|
Stage 3 Corindi/Lazyman Creek Riparian Restoration
|
5,000
|
|
Nana Glen Landcare Group
|
Rehabilitation of Nana Glen Travelling Stock Reserve (R39744) Maintenance Phase
|
12,000
|
|
National Parks Association NPA of NSW (PF), Coffs Coast Branch
|
Whispers of Wilderness: Discovering Coffs Coast's Untold Stories
|
25,000
|
|
OzGREEN
|
Rethink Waste Coffs Harbour Schools
|
24,976
|
|
Sandy Beach Action Group
|
Revegetation and maintenance of Sandy Beach Reserve
|
12,950
|
|
Sapphire Pines Apartments
|
Weed Control and Bush Regeneration in Endangered Ecological Community
|
12,000
|
| Southern Cross University |
Macroalgae contribution in accumulating pollutants across the Coffs Harbour estuaries |
25,000 |
|
Workways Australia t/a Envite Environment
|
Coffs Harbour Native Seedbank Network
|
18,736 |
|
Workways Australia t/a Envite Environment
|
Koala habitat enhancement Toormina/Boambee East
|
25,000 |
|
Workways Australia t/a Envite Environment
|
Woolgoolga Community Supporting Land for Wildlife (LFW) Program
|
6,600 |
|
Total
|
|
424,610
|