Environmental Management and Compliance Levy Report

Environmental Management and Compliance Levy Report

PURPOSE: To report the expenditure funded by the Environmental Levy for the financial year ending 27 June 2014.

DATE: 14 January 2015

Contents

SPECIAL NOTES

COMMENTARY BACKGROUND TO THE LEVY

COMMENTARY SUMMARY OF PERIOD ENDING 27 JUNE 2014

Conservation Reserves Management Core

Green Power Initiative

Closed Landfill Maintenance

Restoration for Recreation (Landfill Remediation Projects)

Community Conservation Partnerships

Waterways Health Enhancement

Norman Creek 2012 - 2031

Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) Maintenance

Environmental Licensing and Compliance Core

Reduce Pollution Core

Creek Filtration System Trials

Oxley Creek Improvement Program

Biodiversity Planning Core

Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring

GRAPHActual Expenditure for 2013/14

OPERATING STATEMENT for the year ended 27 June 2014

FINANCIAL REPORT Detiled Financial Position

SPECIAL NOTES

This is a Special Purpose Financial Report.

The report is prepared in order to report the progress of works and activities carried out to protect and enhance the natural environment, to comply with the Environmental Protection Act regulations, and the expenditure of funds raised by the Environment Management and Compliance Levy.

The report is for presentation to the Environment Parks and Sustainability Committee.

Amounts used in this report have been extracted from the SAP System.
COMMENTARY

BACKGROUND TO THE LEVY

The Environment Management and Compliance Levy assists Council by covering some of the costs associated with:

(a)The protection and enhancement of the natural environment through activities undertaken by Council including:

monitoring and enforcement of compliance by others with environmental and planning legislation;
managing of environmental programs and initiatives; and
remediation of environmental problems.

Examples - protection of air quality, waterways, sediment control, landfill issues and effluent discharge.

(b)The meeting of Council's obligations under the Environment Protection Act 1994

Additional funds will be contributed by Council from General Rates (from recurrent and capital funds) to effectively deliver the Environmental Management and Compliance Program each year.

SUMMARY OF PERIOD ENDING 27 JUNE 2014

For the period ending 27 June 2014, the Levy has raised $35.157m (net of remissions 0.652m). Expenditure on related projects for the period totaled $38.931m. The shortfall of revenue over expenditure of $3.774m was met from Council’s General Revenue.

Expenditure is accounted for across the following categories:

Conservation Reserves Management Core

The expenditure on Conservation Reserves Management in 2013/14 was $11.047m. Revenue received was $209k.

Work undertaken in this program covers a range of activities to ensure management of Brisbane’s bushland assets to enhance biodiversity outcomes and resident safety and delivers the following outcomes:

Natural Areas are safe for visitors and staff and do not present unacceptable risk to neighbours or assets (includes fire risk);
Natural Areas are presented in a clean condition, reasonably free of litter, pests, weeds and vermin and suited to the expected public use of the area;
Council assets in natural areas are maintained and preserved;
The natural environment is maintained so that adverse environmental impacts are minimised;
Visitors and neighbours are provided with opportunities to gain greater appreciation of natural areas and made aware of how to contribute to management of them;
Vegetation management is strategically planned and implemented;
Customer service is responsive and in accordance with Council policies and practices.

Green Power Initiative

The expenditure on the Green Power Initiative project for 2013/14 was $4.526m.

Council purchased 100% of its electricity from accredited renewable electricity generators. These generators supply electricity from wind, solar, biomass and hydro sources. The GreenPower renewable energy supply is additional to the mandatory obligation under the Federal Government Renewable Energy Target Legislation.

During the 2013/14 financial year approximately 104,640 Megawatt Hours of Electricity was sourced from renewable technology. This avoided the creation of approximately 85,805 tonnes scope 2 emissions of CO2e.

Closed Landfill Maintenance

The expenditure on Landfill Maintenance projects for 2013/14 was $4.344m (excluding depreciation). Revenue received was $36k.

The closed landfill maintenance program ensures that all BCC-owned closed landfills are maintained under a risk-based prioritisation system that aims to establish BCC compliance with its Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act. The maintenance program included:

landfill gas extraction and flaring from four sites;
groundwater and surface water discharge monitoring;
leachate collection and disposal system installation and maintenance;
site condition audits and environmental risk assessments;
landfill cap maintenance;
on-site emergency works;
Contaminated site investigations; and
Provision of technical advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Restoration for Recreation (Landfill Remediation Projects)

The expenditure on Landfill Remediation projects for 2013/14 was $4.27m across the following sites:

The Landfill Remediation Schedule (Restoration for Recreation) continued in 2013/14 with:

Whites Rd, Chermside (John Goss Reserve) – Stage 2 waste compaction, reprofiling, drainage, capping and sportsfield and park rehabilitation.
Amelia St, Nundah (Albert Bishop Park) – Stage 2 of the landfill compaction, re-capping and sportsfield rehabilitation, stormwater drainage works.
Lorward Ave, Bardon (Purtell Park) – Stage 1 stormwater system realignment.
Raven St, Chermside (Raven Street Reserve) – Waste removal, gully restoration and bushland revegetation.
Bilston St, Stafford – partial waste removal and creek bank landfill batter stabilization.
Blaker Rd, Keperra (Oxford Park Reserve) - waste compaction, reprofiling, drainage, capping and sportsfield rehabilitation.

Community Conservation Partnerships

The expenditure on Community Conservation Partnerships project for 2013/14 was $3.821m. Revenue received was $1k.

Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:

Voluntary Conservation Agreements

Wildlife Conservation Partnerships Program (WCPP) provides a cost effective mechanism for protecting and sustainably managing strategically important bushlands, wetlands and wildlife corridors in the city through partnerships with private land owners. Over 50% of the city’s natural vegetation is in private ownership; sustainable management and restoration of habitat on private property is required to achieve the Vision 2026 40% natural habitat target and is critical to sustaining biodiversity within Brisbane. Through WCPP a culture of stewardship for nature is developed with participating land owners and their neighbours, enhancing community development and delivering improved land management through a structured program addressing erosion control and the threats of weeds, fire and pests.

To date the project has partnered with 664 landowners to protect and manage 2135 ha of bushland.

Creek Catchment Rangers

This project relates to the community based catchment group activities for all of the City’s major water catchments. Activities enhance the primary objectives of building capacity and goodwill within the catchment groups, providing support for their activities through provision of information, advice, funding and networks and undertaking on ground rehabilitation projects in association with the community.

Habitat Brisbane

This project relates to promoting community involvement in bushland and habitat regeneration through:

Fostering recognition of our diverse fauna, flora and ecosystems through community participation;
Provides an opportunity for community involvement in the protection and restoration of bushland habitat on Council land.
Fosters local communities’ sense of place, and awareness of values, threats and management of bushland.

These are achieved through the three primary objectives for Habitat Brisbane:

Biodiversity conservation;
Community awareness and involvement and
Community cohesion.

The program supports 128 formal Habitat Brisbane groups across the city on 398ha.

Waterways Health Enhancement

The expenditure on Waterways Health Enhancement projects for 2013/14 was $2.547m.

A number of projects progressed in 2013/14 which will deliver the following outcomes:

Reduced sediment & nutrients into and increase ecological and water quality of Brisbane's waterways and Moreton Bay
Reduced sediment which is a hazard to seagrass beds of Moreton Bay
Improve habitat values of Brisbane's Waterways and Moreton Bay
Reduction in the load of key stormwater pollutants entering the City's waterways
Improve resilience of waterways, the river and bay to the impacts of urbanisation, climate change including increased rainfall and flood risk.

Norman Creek 2012 - 2031

The expenditure on Norman Creek 2012 – 2031 project for 2013/14 was $2.497m.

Focuses specifically on:

Implementation of the Norman Creek 2012 – 2031 Master Plan with a focus on waterway health improvements, improved sport and recreation opportunities and flood management strategies across the catchment.

Detailed design was finalised for Coorparoo Creek corridor to manage flooding in the area, improve public access to the waterway and improve the health of the waterway. A number of properties were purchased as part of implementing the design.

Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) Maintenance

The expenditure on SQID Maintenance for 2013/14 was $1.726m.

This activity focuses specifically on the maintenance, rehabilitation and cleansing of SQID’s.

Activities include silt clearing, rubbish and vegetation removal from SQID’s and trash racks in gullies to ensure pollutants do not enter Waterways, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

Repairs to SQID devices are also carried out under this service.

The expenditure is for the following activities:

Clear designated SQIDs;
Repair designated SQIDs; and
Clear Trash Racks in Gullies.

Council has installed a number of SQID types across the city. Following is a list of typical SQID types:

Constructed Wetlands;
Sedimentation Basins;
Sediment Traps;
Gully Baskets (Traps);
Open Gross Pollutant Traps;
Trash Racks;
Underground Gross Pollutant Traps;
Floating Litter Traps or Litter Booms;
Bio-Retention Pods and Infiltration Devices; and
Swales.

Environmental Licensing and Compliance Core

The expenditure on Environmental Licensing and Compliance for 2013/14 was $1.617m. Revenue received was $496k.

Key activities carried out under this service include:

Risk-based environmental audits of 130 licensed industries
Risk-based investigation of complaints and incidents
Enforcement and prosecution of offences.

Reduce Pollution Core

The expenditure on Reduce Pollution in 2013/14 was $923k.

Work undertaken in this program covers:

Providing specialist scientific air quality, noise management and dangerous goods advice and support to enable delivery of Council wide programs and projects
Drafting the noise, air quality and chemical hazards content of the City Plan 2014, including the Noise impact assessment planning scheme policy, Air quality planning scheme policy and Hazard, risk assessment planning scheme policy and Storage of hazardous chemicals in flood prone areas planning scheme policy

Creek Filtration System Trials

The expenditure on Creek Filtration System Trials project for 2013/14 was $887k.

Under the Lord Mayor’s Cleaner Waterways initiative, the creek filtration project is part of a commitment to maintain the health and resilience of priority waterways through waterway health maintenance, rehabilitation and enhancement works including a four-year trial of eight filtration systems in four of Brisbane’s waterway systems: 3 @ Oxley Creek (South), 2 @ Kedron Brook (North), 2 @ Norman Creek (East) and 1 @ Toowong Creek (West).

In 2012/13 financial year three systems were designed, with construction completed or progressed at Glindemann Park (Norman Creek #1), adjacent to Greenslopes Busway (Norman Creek #2) and at Kirralee Crescent (Kedron Brook #1).

In 2013/14 Construction of the three systems at Glindemann Park (Norman Creek #1), Greenslopes Busway (Norman Creek #2) and Kirralee Crescent (Kedron Brook #1) were completed.

Design and construction of the Kookaburra Park, Rocklea (Oxley Creek #1) was completed and designs were completed for California Rd Park, Oxley (Oxley Creek #2).

Oxley Creek Improvement Program

The expenditure on Oxley Creek Improvement Program for 2013/14 was $715k.

The Oxley Creek Improvement Program has a catchment wide perspective with its objective to improve the ecological, economic and social outcomes within the Oxley Creek Catchment. Over the 13/14 financial year the programs focused on investigations and on grounds works at Archerfield Wetlands, bank stabilisation works and investigations at other sites within the catchment and the development of a draft Vision for the BCC controlled section of the catchment.

In 2013/14 The Oxley Creek Improvement Project delivered the following elements within Archerfield Wetlands including:

Weed removal and maintenance
Riparian revegetation and maintenance
Fencing of the riparian zone
Removal of Oxley Creek Culverts
Completion of detailed concept design for 2 new culverts
Improvement of Maintenance tracks within the wetlands
Completion of an Ecological Restoration Plan for the wetlands
Many of these activities are on-going

Biodiversity Planning Core

The expenditure on Biodiversity Planning for 2013/14 was $586k.

Natural Assets Local Law

Implemented amendments to the Natural Assets Local Law (NALL), which simplified and streamlined processes for the management of protected vegetation.

Brisbane City Plan 2014

Revised and updated City Plan 2014 biodiversity provisions in response to community submissions
Completed training for Development Assessment Branch staff on new City Plan 2014 provisions.

Natural Area Management Planning

Continued installation of track monitoring equipment along key natural area walking tracks
Undertook audit of natural area management trails
Completion of Natural Area Track and Trail Analysis Project
Updated Natural Area Design Manual
Completion of template to establish Bushfire Risk Management Plans for Brisbane’s natural areas. Bushfire Risk Management Plan prepared for Brisbane Koala Bushlands.

Land Disposals

Secured the transfer of Glider Forest from the Queensland Government as a natural area and supported the Queensland Government fencing the property and removing illegally dumped rubbish.

Neighborhood Planning

Provided advice on biodiversity provisions for incorporation into the development of Neighbourhood Plans.

Strategic Advice

Provided Strategic Advice on major development applications to support the timely assessment of applications and ensure the conservation of significant biodiversity assets.

Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring

The expenditure on Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring project for 2013/14 was $166k.

Under the Public Health Act 2005, local governments are responsible for the management of public health risk, including recreational waters that have the potential to be hazardous to human health. By monitoring water quality at waterway recreation access points and advising the community of the potential resultant risks to health, Council meets its obligations under this Act.

In 2013/14 the citywide recreational water quality monitoring program included:

Monitoring of water quality (physio-chemical properties and enterococci bacteria concentration) at 11 locations in the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay and selected creeks.
Provision of community access to monitoring results.
Informing and advising the public of potential health risks present at recreational waterway locations.
Work in conjunction with the Healthy Waterways Partnership and adjacent local governments to participate in the development of a regional monitoring program.

GRAPHActual Expenditure for 2013/14

OPERATING STATEMENT

For the year ended 27 June 2014

Actuals
2013/14
$'000
Revenue
Rates and Utility Charges (net of remissions) / $35,157
Total Revenue / $35,157
Expenditure
Conservation Reserves Management Core / $10,838
100% Green Power / $4,526
Closed Landfill Remediation / $4,308
Restoration for Recreation (Landfill Remediation Projects) / $4,270
Community Conservation Partnerships / $3,821
Waterways Health Enhancement / $2,547
Norman Creek 2012 - 2031 / $2,497
Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) Maintenance / $1,726
Environmental Licensing and Compliance Core / $1,121
Reduce Pollution Core / $923
Creek Filtration System Trials / $887
Oxley Creek Improvement Program / $715
Biodiversity Planning Core / $586
Waterways Human Health & Safety Site Monitoring / $166
Total Expenditure / $38,931
Over expenditure against Levy funds raised / $3,774

Brisbane City Council

Environment Management and Compliance Levy Report

As at 27 June 2014

Project Name / Project Status
(Note 1) / Expenditure to date
13/14
$'000 / Performance / Compliance
Conservation Reserves Management Core / C
C
C
C
C
C / 11,047 / HR - Labour costs, training, PPE
Fire
(includes monitoring and planning, response to wildfire, standby, fire break maintenance and construction, planned burns, equipment purchases and maintenance, community awareness)
Infrastructure
Equipment (purchase and maintenance)
Track and Asset improvements and maintenance (boardwalks, bridges, fences, signs, visitor facilities, road and car park, recreational facilities, toilets)
Vandalism and graffiti repairs
Cleansing (toilets, BBQ’s etc) and rubbish removal (including illegal dumping)
Green Asset
Vegetation Management
Tree maintenance
Noxious Weed management
Erosion Control
Tree planting and after care
Environmental control
Landscaping & maintenance – open space (e.g. picnic areas)
Interpretive activities/Community projects
Visitor Centre management- labour and services
Security
HB support
Volunteer programs
Planning and Design
Encroachment removal
Education and Enforcement patrols – illegal activities (e.g. trailbikes, 4WD, off-leash dogs)
Other
memorials
Trail Care program Mt Coot-tha / WH&S
Fire and Rescue Service Act,
BCC Bushland Fire Management policy and Guideline
Australian Standards
Provide enjoyable and safe visitor experience
Outdoor Recreation Strategy
Qld Nature Conservation Act 1992
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International importance
Council’s 2026 green and biodiverse city
Wipe out Weeds projects
Environmental compliance e.g. fire ants
Visitors and neighbours are provided with opportunities to gain greater appreciation of natural areas and made aware of how to contribute to management of them
Provide enjoyable and safe visitor experience
Engage the community in caring for natural areas.
Outdoor recreation strategy
Less Revenue Received / 209
CONSERVATION RESERVES MANAGEMENT CORE / $10,838
Project Name / Project Status
(Note 1) / Expenditure to date
13/14
$'000 / Performance / Compliance