mackay regional council reef guardian council action plan ... · reef guardian council action plan...
TRANSCRIPT
Mackay Regional Council
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016 – 2017 Page 2 of 8
Mackay Regional Council Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017
Reef Guardian Council program
The Reef Guardian Program is a stewardship program that encourages and supports councils, schools and industries to become actively involved in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
The Reef Guardian Council program recognises the good environmental work councils are achieving throughout the 42 million hectare Reef catchment.
Whether Reef Guardian Councils and their communities are large or small, they are making continuous improvements to help the Reef.
Action Plans
This Action Plan records the diversity of council actions and projects that contribute to Reef health. It aligns with Queensland and Australian Government objectives to improve the long-term outlook for the Reef.
The Action Plan is a powerful tool for the council to share its Reef management actions with the local community - and the rest of the world.
Milestone Reports
The Action Plan is reviewed and updated annually, and an annual Highlights Report is produced to show the continuous improvements occurring across a range of council activities.
Endorsement
The council recognises the importance of the Reef Guardian partnership and values the contributions made by staff and the community ‘working together today for a healthier Reef tomorrow’.
Endorsed: …………………………………….……………… ……. /….… /….…
Council signatory
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017 Page 3 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Reef 2050 Objective
The Great Barrier Reef retains its integrity
and system functions by maintaining and
restoring the connectivity, resilience and
condition of marine and coastal
ecosystems.
What councils can do Help to restore catchments:
For example:
Incorporate environmental mapping and priorities in planning schemes and development decisions
Help to restore landscape and waterway connections and functions
Use best practices in council and industry developments
Manage weeds and pests and restore disturbed council land
Establish beach management plans
Project Name Description Financial/Resource
Commitment Partnerships
Responsible department/position
Project Status Reef 2050
actions Priority project implementation
Implement the 2016/17 priority projects in coastal, waterway, ranges and plains landscapes
Natural Environment Levy Funding
Stakeholders, community
Natural Environment Section
In progress EHA7, 13
Beach Plans Develop new beach plans and update existing plans for priority beaches
Natural Environment Levy Funding Capital funding
Community, Reef Catchments
Natural Environment Section
In progress EHA7, 13 BA5,11
Land Acquisition Fund
Finalise and implement a process for nominating and evaluating land for purchase in line with the Land Acquisition Policy
Land Acquisition Reserve funding
Community, Stakeholders
Natural Environment Section
In progress EHA7, 13
Ongoing Activities
Project description Project description Project description Reef 2050
actions Collect a Natural Environment Levy to fund natural environmental projects
Offer residents opportunities to be part of the Land for Wildlife Program and provide land management advice
Continue to produce management plans to guide the management of environmentally significant land
EHA7, 13 BA5,11
Maintain the Natural Environment Plan website to direct priorities and promote completed projects
Produce local provenance native plants for local projects at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre nursery
Continue to offer rate rebates for properties that are nature refuges or enter into long term conservation agreements
EHA7, 13 BA5,11
Participate in the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Pest Management Group to share resources and knowledge
Implement the Beach Plans as part of the Coasts and Communities Program including Coastcare activities
Continue to implement the Mackay Regional Pest Management Plan
EHA7, 13 BA5,11
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017 Page 4 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Reef 2050 Objective
The quality of water from all sources
including industrial, urban waste and
stormwater sources has no detrimental
impact on the health and resilience of the
Great Barrier Reef.
What councils can do Continuously improve the quality of water entering the reef from wastewater and stormwater sources through urban water cycle initiatives:
Promote water sensitive urban design in new developments
Adopt best practice stormwater management
Monitor and if necessary upgrade sewerage treatment plants
Provide collection facilities for chemicals, waste oil and other pollutants
Protect and rehabilitate waterways
Project Name Description Financial/Resource
Commitment Partnerships
Responsible department/position
Project Status
Reef 2050 actions
Stormwater Quality Management
Update the Urban Stormwater Quality Management Plan for Mackay
Council budget Community, stakeholders
Parks, Environment and Sustainability
In Progress
EHA7, 13 EHA8, 10, 14
Voluntary Mechanism for Stormwater Quality Management
Implement the Voluntary Mechanism for Stormwater Quality Management (VMSQM)
Developer contributions Developers, Community, Natural Environment
Parks, Environment and Sustainability
In Progress
EHA7, 13 EHA8, 10, 14
Water use management Provide clients with access to real time water use information to increase awareness of water use it can be reduced.
Council budget Community Business Services In Progress
EHA7
Riparian Revegetation – Gooseponds Creek
Revegetate an 800m stretch of Gooseponds Creek in Glenella to restore riparian ecosystem function.
VMSQM, Natural Environment Levy, Green Army teams
Community, Mackay Soccer, Toyota, CVA,
Parks, Environment and Sustainability
In Progress
EHA7, 10, 13
Stormwater Education Participate in stormwater quality education and awareness programs
VMSQM, Council budget Reef Catchments, Community
Parks, Environment & Sustainability, Water Services
In Progress
CBA11, 12
Detailed design of McCreadys Creek South Regional Wetlands
Undertake detailed design of McCreadys Creek South Regional Wetlands to get them “shovel-ready” for potential grant funding for construction
VMSQM Reef Catchments, Alluvium Consultants, Community
Technical Services In Progress
EHA13, 27
Investment in on-farm improvement practices
Investment into improving on-farm sediment and nutrient practices with one 150ha cane farmer in the Bakers creek catchment
VMSQM Council, Reef Catchments, Catchment Solutions
Parks, Environment & Sustainability
In Progress
EHA13, 27
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2015 /2016 Page 5 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Ongoing Activities
Project description Project description Project description Reef 2050
actions
Continue to implement the erosion and sediment control program
Continue to implement priority GPTs throughout the region
Continue to implement the trade waste inspection program EHA27 WQA5,11,12,
Continue to maintain Water Sensitive Urban Design infrastructure throughout the region
Continue to prioritise and undertake waterway projects that improve water quality and biodiversity outcomes
Maintain existing and construct new fish passageways EHA27 WQA5,11,12,
Maintain a 720m section of Little McCready’s creek. This is a pilot project for naturalised channel design
Maintain 41 Gross Pollutant Traps in the city centre which capture litter and gross pollutants, that would otherwise flow untreated into the Pioneer River
Continue to target Cats Claw Creeper in the riparian zone of Blackwater Creek at Hogan’s Pocket landfill site as part of the site’s pest management plan
EHA27 WQA5,11,12,
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017 Page 6 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Reef 2050 Objective
Education and on-ground actions target
the source of marine debris and reduce
the volume of debris entering the Great
Barrier Reef.
What councils can do Minimise waste entering the Reef from land-based sources:
Control litter coming from landfills and public bins
Introduce waste minimisation programs for Council and community
Introduce littering and illegal dumping penalties
Encourage community clean-ups before the wet season
Install pollution traps on urban waterways
Project Name Description Financial/Resource
Commitment Partnerships
Responsible department/position
Project Status
Reef 2050 actions
Waste Education Deliver waste education programs to increase recycling and reduce waste going to landfill
Council Budget Community Waste Services, Corporate Communications
Ongoing EHA27
Great Northern Clean Up
Coordinate, register and advertise clean-up sites across the region and engage the support of volunteer community groups to supervise sites and volunteers.
Council Budget Community Waste Services Ongoing EHA27
Recycling and reuse
Develop a recycling facility for glass and construction and demolition waste
Council Budget Corporate sector Waste Services In Progress EHA27
MRF operation Continue to review operational processes at the MRF to improve handling of contaminated recyclables to improve yield
Council Budget Waste Services In Progress EHA27
Ongoing Activities
Project description Project description Project description Reef 2050
actions Continue to offer a voucher system for limited free dumping for residents
Continue to optimise the quality of effluent released to the environment
Continue to maintain GPT’s throughout the region WQA12 EHA27
Continue to offer a kerbside recycling program Continue to implement the waste management strategic plan 2014-2018
Continue to work with industry to seek beneficial reuse of resources recovered from waste locally, including using recycled crushed glass for bedding material for civil projects
EHA27
Continue to promote composting and worm farming and sponsor free workshops for residents
Continue to offer schools and community groups access to the waste education trailer
EHA27
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017 Page 7 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Reef 2050 Objective
Local, regional and Reef-wide community
benefits are understood and the community is
actively engaged in managing Reef activities.
What councils can do Celebrate community connections to the Reef and encourage stewardship:
Introduce education campaigns to reduce impacts on the Reef
Build community capacity to tackle threats to the Reef
Form partnerships to achieve ongoing improvements to Reef health
Project Name Description Financial/Resource
Commitment Partnerships
Responsible department/position
Project Status
Reef 2050 actions
Environmental awareness and participation
Encourage community awareness and engagement in natural environment activities through educational and engagement programs
Natural Environment Levy Funding
Community, stakeholders, Community engagement and communications teams
Natural Environment Section In Progress CBA12
Green Arts Grants The Green Arts Grants are an innovative new initiative to support projects that focus on environmentally-based arts activities that highlight issues relating to local biodiversity
Natural Environment Levy Funding, Regional Arts Development funding
Local artists Natural Environment Section, RADF Program
In Progress CBA12
Waste Education Deliver waste education programs to increase recycling, and reduce waste going to landfill
Council budget Community, Corporate Sector
Waste Services In Progress CBA12 EHA27
Illegal dumping Target illegal dumping through an education campaign and increased enforcement
Council budget Health and Regulatory Services, Corporate Communications
In Progress CBA12 EHA27
Ongoing Activities
Project description Project description Project description Reef 2050
actions Continue to provide opportunities for coastal communities to be involved in coastal management activities through the Coastcare program
Continue to engage with commercial entities to improve recycling practices
Continue to raise community awareness regarding littering and illegal dumping
CBA12
Continue to provide support for environmental groups within the region
Continue to provide educational material that promotes our natural environment
Continue to participate in awareness raising days such as National Tree Day and the Great Northern Cleanup
CBA12
Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017 Page 8 of 8
Mackay Regional Council
2016–2017
Objective
Communities adapt and respond to a changing
climate by taking action to avoid impacts on the
Great Barrier Reef and coastal ecosystems.
What councils can do Help communities to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate:
Assess council and community risk and vulnerability due to a changing climate
Prepare for and respond to climate change through planning and policies
Introduce sustainability principles to council procurement
Encourage efficient use of energy by council and community
Project Name Description Financial/Resource
Commitment Partnerships
Responsible department/position
Project Status
Reef 2050 actions
Climate Change Adaptation Policy
Develop and implement a Climate Change Adaptation Policy
Council Budget Community, stakeholders
Safety, Governance and Resilience
In Progress CBA9
Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan
Review and implement the Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan
Council Budget, Community, stakeholders
Parks, Environment and Sustainability
In Progress CBA9
Active Transport Deliver an active transport marketing program to promote the use of bikeways and walkways
Council Budget Community Community Lifestyle In Progress CBA9
Sustainable Procurement
Include incentives for suppliers to use and offer sustainable goods and services and management practices in contracts
Council Budget Corporate Sector Procurement and Plant In Progress CBA9
Mackay Natural Environment Centre Upgrade
Continue to expand and develop the Mackay Natural Environment Centre sustainability initiatives
Natural Environment Levy
Landcare Groups, Community
Natural Environment In Progress EHA10
Ongoing Activities
Project description Project description Project description Reef 2050 actions
Continue to advocate to the state government to improve the availability of public transport
Continue to expand and connect bikeways and walking paths
Continue to promote the Mackay Natural Environment Centre as benchmark sustainability practices
CBA4
Flare methane gas collected in the capped cell at Hogan’s pocket landfill to reduce the impact that landfill generated gas has on climate change
Continue to design buildings and facilities to reduce environmental impacts, and decrease greenhouse gas emission and water use
Continue to apply the environmental protection principles outlined in the procurement policy when purchasing goods
CBA4