Council 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.
Council recognises 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 provides a framework for how the new method for the allocation of funds will work.
The Environmental Levy is allocated in two streams: 75 per cent of the fund is allocated to Major Strategic Projects and 25 per cent to the Environmental Levy Grants program.
2020-21 Environmental Levy Grants Now Open
Applications are now open for the 2020/2021 Environmental Levy (EL) Grants Program from community-based organisations and individuals interested in helping to improve or sustain our local environment.
Under the Program, grants worth between $2,000 and $25,000 are available 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)
Please read the grant guidelines, fill in the application form and return via email to coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au by 5pm Thursday 9 April 2020.
Applications close 5pm Thursday, April 9 2020.
Environmental Levy Major Strategic Projects for 2019/20:
| CHCC | Conservation & Sustainable Management of Biodiversity | 123,600 |
| CHCC | Environmental Levy Coordination | 66,943 |
| CHCC | Improving Diversity within CHCC Bushland Reserves | 219,235 |
| CHCC | Management of Key Environmental Weeds within Council Managed Lands | 109,620 |
| CHCC | Community Sustainable Living Program | 103,000 |
| CHCC | North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Education Officer | 20,600 |
| Orara Valley Rivercare Groups Management Committee | Orara River Rehabilitation Project | 202,700 |
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare
| Supporting Community Landcare Action in the Coffs Harbour LGA | 223,411 |
Southern Cross University
| Investigating pesticide and heavy metal distribution from soil, air, water and biota near expanding horticulture activites in the Coffs Harbour NSW region.
| 39,970
|
Successful Projects 2019/20 Environmental Levy Grants Program
| Bonville Public School P&C Association | Planting for Spray Drift Prevention - Stage 1 | 15,510 |
| Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare | Growing Our Future 2019/20 | 24,640 |
| Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Lands Council | Improving the Waterways of Corindi Beach | 23,130 |
| Envite | Koala Habitat Enhancement | 24,640 |
| First Choice Organics | Sustainable Profitable Future Food Production for the Coffs Coast | 23,000 |
| Jetty Dunecare | Pre-empting the Sleeping Invader - Glory Lily @ Boambee Beach | 25,000 |
| Jetty Dunecare | Restore and Enhance the Natural Environment of the Jetty Foreshores | 25,000 |
| Nana Glen Landcare Group | Rehabilitating the Coldwater Creek Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR39744) - Phase 2 | 25,000 |
| Nana Glen Landcare Group | The Effects of Nitrates on Macro Invertebrates and River Health | 23,000 |
| New Earth Regeneration | Halls Road Koala Corridor - Engaging the Community in Habitat Restoration | 4,800 |
| New Earth Regeneration | Roberts Hill Koala Corridor - Protecting the Connection | 4,200 |
| New Earth Regeneration | Tree Fern Creek Habitat Corridor - Targeting High Priority Vine Weeds | 4,200 |
| New Earth Regeneration | Newport's Creek - Riparian Rainforest Restoration | 4,975 |
OzGREEN
| My River Coffs Harbour | 24,354 |
| Sandy Beach Action Group | Revegetation of Sandy Beach Reserve - Stage 2 | 2,800 |
| Southern Cross University | The Runoff Carrying Capacity of Coffs Coast Estuaries | 25,000 |
| Southern Cross University | Improving Water Quality Downstream of Protected Cropping Operations (Hothouses) | 20,000 |
Woolgoolga Regional Community Gardens
| Let the Sun Shine In | 14,987
|
National Parks Association of NSW (Coffs Coast Branch)
| Analysis of economic benefits of the proposed Great Koala National Park within the Coffs LGA
| 22,500
|
Jetty Dunecare
| Restore and enhance the natural environment of Boambee Beach
| 25,000
|
