Council endorsed a new Environment Levy Partnerships Program at its Ordinary Meeting today that will deliver more than half a million dollars to 24 environmentally focussed community groups.
Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the program provides up to three years funding to community groups whose operations or services contribute to the Sunshine Coast environment.
“We are lucky on the Sunshine Coast to have so many community groups who work tirelessly for the environment,” Cr McKay said.
“The program provides the support these groups need to continue delivering.
“The Environment Levy is an important program assisting to protect and enhance the Sunshine Coast environment. Our community groups are important partners for council and the Partnerships Funding Program is a sensible way to support them in achieving this.
“For the first time, this year’s program included an expression of interest phase, which allowed us to sit down with groups and establish some shared goals and priorities.
“We had a huge interest in the funding program this year, and I’m confident these stronger partnerships will take us one step closer to becoming Australia’s most sustainable region.”
Coolum and North Shore Coast Care is one successful applicant receiving a three-year partnership of $23,950 per year. This group is an active and inclusive community group that undertakes activities such as turtle monitoring, dune rehabilitation, education and the management of a community nursery.
Another partner, the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee covers the largest catchment area in the region and was successful in receiving a three-year partnership of $66,601 per year.
This group is a well organised long-term partner coordinating with council programs and delivering catchment care in the Sunshine Coast hinterland including environmental extension in the hinterland, water quality monitoring, biodiversity investigation and monitoring, education and project support.
The $60 Environment Levy, contributed by all ratepayers annually allows council to invest further in the region’s biodiversity, waterways and foreshores, and to strengthen partnerships with the community.
** **
** Funding details**
<td width="328">
<strong>Project</strong>
</td>
<td width="88">
<strong>Suburb</strong>
</td>
<td width="94">
<strong>Amount Funded per year</strong>
</td>
<td width="66">
<strong>No of years funded</strong>
</td>
<td width="328">
Community Landcare in Action
</td>
<td width="88">
Maleny
</td>
<td width="94">
$47,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Supporting the Health, Protection, Enhancement & Education of our rivers and natural eco-systems in partnership with the local community, Gubbi Gubbi Dyungungoo and the Sunshine Coast Council
</td>
<td width="88">
Mooloolah Valley
</td>
<td width="94">
$44,388.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Coordination and Management of Environmental Activities and Events 2014-2015
</td>
<td width="88">
Yaroomba
</td>
<td width="94">
$23,950.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Catchment Care in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
</td>
<td width="88">
Gympie
</td>
<td width="94">
$66,601.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Wildlife Food and Medical Supplies Partnership
</td>
<td width="88">
Beerwah
</td>
<td width="94">
$50,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Living Smart Communities
</td>
<td width="88">
YANDINA
</td>
<td width="94">
$11,600.00
</td>
<td width="66">
1
</td>
<td width="328">
Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Extension Officer – Community and Organisational Support
</td>
<td width="88">
Woombye
</td>
<td width="94">
$12,672.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Pumicestone Passage & Catchment Environmental Partnership
</td>
<td width="88">
Golden Beach
</td>
<td width="94">
$17,285.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Enabling community actions that contribute to the sustainable use and management of the Maroochy River catchment and surrounds
</td>
<td width="88">
Nambour
</td>
<td width="94">
$46,507.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Project Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation and Education
</td>
<td width="88">
Beerwah
</td>
<td width="94">
$10,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
World Environment Day Festival
</td>
<td width="88">
Nambour
</td>
<td width="94">
$30,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
1
</td>
<td width="328">
Wetlands Alive
</td>
<td width="88">
Bli Bli
</td>
<td width="94">
$3,685.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Rescue and Rehabilitation of Australian Native Wildlife in South-East Queensland
</td>
<td width="88">
Nambour West
</td>
<td width="94">
$10,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Celebrating the Sunshine Coast Marine Environment with Reef Check Australia
</td>
<td width="88">
Brisbane
</td>
<td width="94">
$25,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release of Flying Foxes and Microbats
</td>
<td width="88">
Nambour West
</td>
<td width="94">
$10,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
(Part A) Marine Debris Removal from Sunshine Coast Beaches, (including, “Clean Up Double Island” Project, ) and (Part B) Marine Debris Lectures, School Education Program
</td>
<td width="88">
WARANA
</td>
<td width="94">
$1,500.00
</td>
<td width="66">
1
</td>
<td width="328">
CCCG Community Environment Action
</td>
<td width="88">
Currimundi
</td>
<td width="94">
$16,800.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Preservation of the Ecology and Cultural Heritage of the Glass House Mountains area.
</td>
<td width="88">
Glass House Mountains
</td>
<td width="94">
$2,650.00
</td>
<td width="66">
1
</td>
<td width="328">
Faunawatch Sunshine Coast
</td>
<td width="88">
Caloundra
</td>
<td width="94">
$50,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Indigenous Engagement – Caring for Saltwater Country on the Sunshine Coast
</td>
<td width="88">
Bli Bli
</td>
<td width="94">
$5,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
<td width="328">
Saving Native Wildlife
</td>
<td width="88">
Eumundi
</td>
<td width="94">
$5,000.00
</td>
<td width="66">
3
</td>
** **
** Third year of funding**
<td width="358">
Project
</td>
<td width="147">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="75">
Amount Funded
</td>
<td width="358">
Hinterland Bush Links
</td>
<td width="147">
Maleny
</td>
<td width="75">
$50,000
</td>
<td width="358">
Sunshine Coast Macadamia Conservation
</td>
<td width="147">
Whole Sunshine Coast LGA
</td>
<td width="75">
$5,000
</td>
<td width="358">
A Grant to Help our Gardens Grow
</td>
<td width="147">
Tanawha
</td>
<td width="75">
$4,566<br />
</td>