mackay regional council reef guardian council action plan ... · reef guardian council action plan...

Mackay Regional Council

Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016–2017

Reef Guardian Council Action Plan 2016 – 2017 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 of 8


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


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


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



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 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


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,


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 of 8


2016–2017

Ongoing Activities


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,



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 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


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



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 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


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



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 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


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

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