City of Coffs Harbour introduced the Environmental Levy as a means of undertaking environmental management works.
The levy currently raises around $1.6 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: 80% of the fund is allocated to Major Strategic Projects and 20% 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 $50,000 per project.
The objectives of the Environmental Levy Grants Program are to ensure that the allocation of Environmental Levy funds support the achievement of the MyCoffs Community Strategic Plan - A natural environment sustained for the future:
- We protect the diversity of our natural environment (C2.1)
- We use resources responsibly to support a safe and stable climate (C2.2)
For more information, view the Environmental Levy Policy and Environmental Levy Grants Program Guidelines.
Applications for the 2025/2026 Environmental Levy Grants Program are now closed.
Environmental Levy major strategic projects and programs
Major Strategic projects and programs funded by the Environmental Levy are long term and strategically important. They are included in the four-year Delivery Program adopted by Council.
Environmental Levy funding is provided by an annual allocation over the four-year term. The current Delivery Program commenced 1 July 2022.
Areas for consideration include:
- Environmental Levy Coordination
- Bush Regeneration
- Environmental Weed Management
- Biodiversity Strategies
- Waterway Health Initiatives
- Coastal Initiatives
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Health and Water Quality Research Initiatives
- Street Tree Planting
Projects and programs may be delivered by City of Coffs Harbour or in partnership with or through community organisations, research institutions and/or other government bodies.
Environmental Levy Major Strategic Projects for 2025/26:
|
Applicant
|
Project Name
|
Amount ($)
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Conservation & Sustainable Management of the Natural Environment
|
173,798
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Environmental Levy Coordination
|
70,958
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Improving Diversity within CHCC Bushland Reserves
|
199,570
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Management of Key Environmental Weeds within Council Managed Lands
|
123,981
|
|
City of Coffs Harbour
|
Community Sustainable Living Program
|
161,553
|
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Hearnes Lake Taskforce |
126,350 |
| 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 |
239,456 |
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Supporting Community Landcare Action in the Coffs Harbour LGA
|
274,527
|
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance program support
|
16,000
|
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Vegetation Management Plan Jetty Foreshores |
10,000 |
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Continued Korora Lagoons Remediation |
80,000 |
| City of Coffs Harbour |
Street Tree Planting |
40,000 |
|
Total
|
|
1,616,193
|
Successful Projects 2025/26 Environmental Levy Grants Program:
|
Applicant
|
Project Name
|
Amount ($)
|
|
Cochrans Pool Urumbilum Rivercare Inc
|
Macroinvertebrates of the Orara Valley - a resource for the community
|
28,100
|
|
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
|
Bringing Biodiversity Back
|
49,950
|
|
Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance
|
Jaliigirr Rainforest Rescue & Recovery |
50,000 |
| Jetty Dunecare Inc |
Jetty Foreshore and North Bank weed control and enhancement |
19,350 |
|
Nana Glen Landcare
|
Orara Bucca Macroinvertebrate Survey
|
28,835
|
|
National Parks Association of NSW - Coffs Coast Branch
|
Whispers of Wilderness: Voices for Our Coast
|
50,000
|
| Oz Green - Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (Australia) Inc |
Waste Warriors: Empowering community-led solutions to reduce waste and reuse resources |
49,978 |
| Ozfish Unlimited |
Restoring Friday Creek for the Fish |
47,600 |
|
Sandy Beach Action Group inc
|
Revegetation and maintenance of Sandy Beach Reserve |
24,894
|
|
Sapphire Pines Apartments
|
Weed Control and Bush Regeneration in Endangered Ecological Community |
12,470
|
|
Workways Australia t/a Envite Environment
|
Coffs Harbour Native Seedbank and Biodiversity Initiative
|
50,000 |
|
Total
|
|
411,177
|