Nature Conservation Strategy - City of Gold Coast€¦ · 1 executive summary The 2009 Nature Conservation Strategy (NCS) demonstrates Gold Coast City Council’s ongoing and increasing

Conserving our city’s biodiversity and natural assets through a connected

conservation network

Working for our future – today

Nature Conservation

Strategy 2009 - 2019

strategic objective

To conserve the city’s biodiversity and natural assets through Council’s overarching and strong commitment to protecting, managing and restoring a diverse, connected and viable conservation network across public and private lands.

overarching targets

50 percent native vegetation cover across ■

the city land area by 2019 (no net loss)50 percent native vegetation cover across ■

the city land area by 2040 (net gain)

2 Gold Coast City Council Nature Conservation Strategy 2009 - 2019

contents1 executive summary 5

2 strategy background 7

2.1 Background 7

2.2 Our Bold Future 8

2.3 Current trends and issues 8

3 the strategy 11

3.1 Our vision 11

3.2 Strategic objective 11

3.3 Strategic outcomes 12

3.4 Conservation management units 13

4 strategic outcomes, key actions, performance measures and reporting 17

4.1 Performance of the strategy 17

4.2 Strategic outcomes, key actions and performance measures 18

4.3 Corporate governance and nature conservation 23

4.4 Nature Conservation Strategy reporting 23

4.5 Nature Conservation Strategy review arrangements 23

5 strategy implementation 25

5.1 Implementation plan 25

5.2 Financial and resource requirements 25

5.3 Responsibility and accountability 25

6 appendices 27

6.1 Appendix A – Natural values of Gold Coast City 27

6.2 Appendix B – 10-year and 30-year visions for the Nature Conservation Strategy 29

6.3 Appendix C – 5-year implementation action plan for the Nature Conservation Strategy 31

3Gold Coast City Council Nature Conservation Strategy 2009 - 2019


one

1 executive summaryThe 2009 Nature Conservation Strategy (NCS) demonstrates Gold Coast City Council’s ongoing and increasing commitment to conserving the city’s natural values. It is a revision of the benchmark 1998 NCS which mapped the city’s natural values for the first time and established Council’s conservation initiatives.

The 2009 NCS is timely as population growth continues to place pressure on the city’s natural values and climate change poses threats to the viability of the city’s ecosystems. Simultaneously, the suite of essential services the natural environment provides is being recognised in economic terms and the community is increasingly focussed on a more sustainable future.

The advent of improved regional planning, new legislation and changing community attitudes have provided a strong platform for the development of the 2009 NCS. Building on conservation achievements since 1998, it will guide Council’s actions for nature conservation during the next 10 years to fulfil its strategic objective:

‘To conserve the city’s biodiversity and natural assets through Council’s overarching and strong commitment to protecting, managing and restoring a diverse, connected and viable conservation network across public and private lands’.

The strategy also progresses Council’s target for native vegetation cover from ‘managed loss’ in 1998 to ‘no net loss’ moving to ‘net gain’ in 2009. It sets two challenging, yet achievable, targets that will be used to monitor and report on the strategy’s success:

50 percent of the city’s land area will ■■

be covered by native vegetation in 2019 (no net loss)

55 percent of the city’s land area will ■■

be covered by native vegetation in 2040 (net gain)

The 2009 NCS extends beyond terrestrial areas to integrate aquatic, coastal and marine environments. It is a corporate strategy intended to embed nature conservation as core business for Council and the community. It will integrate nature conservation as a key consideration in Council corporate governance arrangements and thus in Council’s day to day operations. It will also contribute to the achievement of the Bold Future vision prepared in consultation with the Gold Coast community, in particular the aspiration for the city to be ‘loved for its green, gold and blue’.

Implementation of the 2009 NCS will be funded by the existing Open Space Preservation Levy (OSPL) paid by the city’s ratepayers. The total cost of the strategy’s 5-year implementation action plan is fully projected in Council’s Open Space Preservation Levy 10-Year Financial Plan. This strategy document is supported by a Background and Directions Report that provides more detail on all aspects of the strategy, including a detailed implementation plan.

The 2009 NCS will be reviewed by 2019.



two

2 strategy background2.1 Background

Gold Coast City is one of the most biodiverse cities in Australia and includes internationally acclaimed and protected areas such as the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests in the southwest and the Ramsar Convention-listed coastal wetlands of southern Moreton Bay in the northeast. The coastal wetlands also support a number of migratory bird species recognised under international treaties such as JAMBA, CAMBA and ROKAMBA1. A summary of the city’s natural values is contained in Appendix A.

While around 49 per cent of the city’s land area is covered in native vegetation, only 19 per cent is protected on public land managed by either Council or the State Government for conservation. An additional three per cent is located on private land managed under voluntary conservation agreements. The cumulative figure of 22 per cent does not yet meet the widely recognised guideline that 30 per cent of all native vegetation communities must be retained in a viable conservation network to achieve adequate representation of biodiversity.

The city also lies within Australia’s fastest growing region, attracting an average of 15,000 new residents each year. The resulting pressure on the natural environment prompted Council to develop its first NCS in 1998. These pressures are anticipated to continue into the future.

The 1998 NCS documented, mapped and benchmarked for the first time the nature conservation values across the city, providing the basis for detailed conservation planning and implementation actions. Its major achievements are:

the Open Space Preservation Levy Land Acquisition ■■

Program that has secured over 3,500 hectares in protected conservation areas

significant improvements in natural area management ■■

including dedicated staff, management planning, operations, restoration and the Beaches to Bushland volunteer program

a flora and fauna research program and partnerships with ■■

external research organisations

incorporation of nature conservation in the development and ■■

implementation of land use planning policies and regulation

voluntary community conservation programs including ■■

Voluntary Conservation Agreements and Land for Wildlife

corporate recognition and organisational change■■

Areas requiring attention in the 2009 NCS include delivery of marketing and education within Council and the community; a review of public open space management; stronger intergovernmental relationships and stakeholder partnerships; and a stronger corporate approach to nature conservation.

Since 1998, the social, regulatory and policy context for nature conservation has markedly evolved. Changes include the introduction of the statutory Southeast Queensland Regional Plan and new state and commonwealth legislation and policy. At the same time, the triple bottom line has become a yardstick for Council’s corporate direction and policy, reflecting changing community attitudes. Opportunities and challenges such as carbon and biodiversity offsets, climate change and the recognition of the value ecosystems to humans (ecosystem services) have emerged as priorities.

To manage these changes, Council has developed this document, the 2009 NCS. A detailed scoping study based on best-practice research and extensive internal consultation identified key issues and directed the project brief. Development of the strategy itself was undertaken through a series of workshops and mapping analysis. It was also informed by four discussion papers prepared for priority issues (vegetation loss, climate change, economic valuation and ecosystem services) and by recently completed city-wide vegetation and ecological assessment mapping. Each stage of the strategy development was based on extensive consultation with stakeholders including Councillors, Council officers, Queensland Government agencies, key community interest groups and the development industry. The strategy’s recommendations were tested by a gap analysis using a qualitative risk assessment methodology to ensure it addressed all current and emerging issues.

The 2009 NCS has interdependencies with a number of key Council strategies, plans and visionary documents. These include Council’s:

Bold Future vision■■

Corporate Plan■■

Gold Coast ‘Our Living City’ Planning Scheme■■

Climate Change Strategy■■

Our Natural Playground■■

Bushfire Management Strategy■■

Economic Development Strategy■■

City Transport Plan■■

Pest Management Plan■■

Catchment Management Plans■■

Landscape Strategy■■

Ocean Beaches and Foreshores Strategy■■

Sustainable Flood Management Strategy■■

1Agreements between Australia and Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea relating to the conservation of migratory bird species.


2.2 Our Bold Future

The Bold Future vision sets out the ambitions our community has for the Gold Coast and a process of ongoing engagement between Council and the community to work in partnership to achieve social, environment and economic sustainability for the future.

The Bold Future vision for the future of the Gold Coast is:

Defined by our spectacular beaches, hinterland ranges, forests and waterways, the Gold Coast is an outstanding city which celebrates nature and connects distinct communities with the common goal of sustainability, choice and well being for all.

The vision is supported by six themes with explicit outcome statements as well as headline targets. The NCS is a key initiative of Council that delivers on a number of these outcomes, particularly:

A city loved for its green, gold and blue.

A number of the NCS’s key actions outlined in Section 4.2 form part of the Bold Future signature projects. For more information on Bold Future see www.boldfuture.com.au

2.3 Current trends and issues

Loss of native vegetation

In 2005, native vegetation covered almost 50 per cent of the city’s land area. More than a third of that vegetation was formally protected under Queensland Government and Council conservation initiatives, however mapping assessments indicate a steady level of incremental vegetation loss in the remaining two-thirds. In fact, nearly 3000 hectares of native vegetation was cleared between 1998 and 2005, representing a rate of 422 hectares a year on average.

This loss of native vegetation has not been uniform across the city. Whilst vegetation groups aligned to highly constrained terrain remain largely intact (eg: areas in the Gold Coast Hinterland and on the coastal islands), low lying and alluvial landscapes often coincide with urban development and have been subject to the greatest impact.

About 14 per cent of all native vegetation remaining in the city occurs within the urban footprint, the area designated in the SEQ Regional Plan for future urban development. About 70 per cent of this vegetation is unprotected and on private land.

Given land use commitments across the city, up to 4400 hectares of native vegetation could be cleared over coming decades for urban, industrial and infrastructure requirements. This will have significant impact on the connectivity, extent and diversity of natural habitats. The 2009 NCS promotes a range of tools centred on the planning scheme, ecological offsets, vegetation protection, and ecological corridor planning to mitigate this loss.

Land use change

Gold Coast City currently has the highest population growth of any local government area in Australia. That growth is resulting in significant demographic and land use changes in the city. The SEQ Regional Plan requires that Council’s land use planning make provision for 137,500 new dwellings by 2031 to house the city’s share of regional population growth.

The potential impact of this growth on the natural environment is extensive. It includes vegetation clearing, loss of species and ecosystems, habitat fragmentation and reduced water quality. The window for action and innovation to mitigate this impact is during the next five to 10 years and is a focus of the 2009 NCS.

Climate change impacts

This NCS draws upon the most recent and comprehensive assessment of this issue for Australia’s National Reserve System.

Climate change is a long term and complex issue that will affect how the city’s biodiversity is protected and managed. The interacting nature of biological systems means effects are likely to be wide ranging and to result in simultaneous impacts at multiple scales across diverse ecological systems.

Across the Southeast Queensland bioregion, climate change poses five major threats to biodiversity - the arrival of new native and exotic pest species, changing fire regimes, land use change, sea level inundation of estuarine ecosystems, and altered hydrology. Current research suggests that the most appropriate management principle is to ‘manage the change to minimise the loss’ and to start now.

Council has a responsibility to manage climate change impacts on the city’s high biological diversity, particularly on vulnerable habitat systems such as the hinterland and northern coastal wetlands, both of which are recognised as highly significant at the regional, state, national and international level. The 2009 NCS aims to manage climate change impacts at the most fundamental level by:

adopting a regional approach (ie: beyond local government ■■

boundaries) to address landscape-scale changes

establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative ■■

conservation network of extensive tracts of habitat in good condition through partnerships with land management agencies, providing ecological systems with the opportunity to adapt and increase resilience to climate change

ensuring that reserve management adopts an adaptive ■■

approach to climate change

allocating resources and forming partnerships to ■■

improve knowledge

Action to manage biodiversity in response to climate change is also a key adaptation strategy under Council’s Climate Change Strategy.


Valuing the natural environment

It is now recognised that the natural environment is a critical asset for the city and that nature conservation is essential for achieving a sustainable city future.

A recent assessment of the economic value of the natural assets of Gold Coast City identified a range of values for specific aspects of the natural environment. It demonstrated that the natural environment is a significant contributor to the city’s economic prosperity. The 2009 NCS envisages that the economic value of the city’s natural environment is recognised as fundamental to the city’s liveability and provides a foundation for a sustainable economy.

The value of the natural environment can also be determined on the basis of the ecosystem services it provides. Ecosystem services are transformations of natural assets such as soil, water, air and living organisms into products that are important to humans. Put simply, they are the benefits that people obtain from natural ecosystems. They include provisioning services such as food, water, timber, fuel and fibre; regulating services such as air quality, water quality, disease prevention, a habitable climate, arable land and pollination; and cultural services that provide recreational and aesthetic benefits. It is important that the ecosystem services present within the city are understood and inform all decision making.

As a critical asset, the natural environment should be viewed in much the same way as other essential infrastructure such as roads, water and sewerage. Known as green infrastructure, the network is based around nodes of natural habitat such as natural area reserves and other protected areas, and linkages between them like corridors, waterways and floodplains. The green infrastructure network extends throughout the city and provides services to rural and urban areas. As with other essential infrastructure, its provision relies on the development of a 10-year service plan that addresses asset planning, management and maintenance plus funding allocation. The 2009 NCS provides the foundation for Council’s Open Space Preservation Levy 10-Year Financial Plan.

Integration of coasts, catchments and waterways within the Nature Conservation Strategy

The 1998 NCS placed a strong emphasis on the conservation of the city’s terrestrial environments. Council has since prepared a range of plans and policies around the protection and management of catchment and coastal values. Protection of a viable city-wide conservation network is dependant on the integration of coastal systems, waterways and catchments, and terrestrial environments. This is addressed in the 2009 NCS.

Core business for Council and the Gold Coast community

Since 1998, nature conservation has been the responsibility of several areas across Council and supported by limited partnerships with the Gold Coast community. Increased cooperation and involvement of all Council directorates and the community is essential to the successful delivery of this 2009 strategy. The long term sustainability of the city relies on Council’s corporate approach to nature conservation being integrated into the governance framework and embedded in Council’s corporate plans, policies and strategies to ensure that Council and the community are fully connected to and engaged in nature conservation. This strategy will inform a review of Council’s Corporate Governance Framework to achieve this end.

The strategic response

In response to the above trends and issues, the 2009 NCS aims to:

achieve targets of ‘no net loss’ moving to ‘net gain’ of ■■

native vegetation

manage climate change impacts on the ■■

natural environment

increase the value that Council and the community place ■■

on the city’s natural environment

integrate catchments and coastal environments with ■■

terrestrial biodiversity conservation

ensure that the natural environment is embedded as a ■■

consideration in Council decisions and operations

ensure that the Gold Coast community is fully engaged ■■

in nature conservation and that partnerships with the community and external stakeholders form the basis of its implementation



three

3 the strategy3.1 Our vision

‘To provide a framework for Council to conserve the city’s biodiversity and to protect a viable city-wide conservation network in partnership with the community and other agencies.’

Detailed 10-year and 30-year visions for the conservation of nature in Gold Coast City are contained within Appendix B. These visions are holistic and were developed in consultation with stakeholders. Founded upon biodiversity outcomes, they also encompass social and economic elements to ensure their full contribution to a sustainable city and the achievement of ‘a city loved for its green, gold and blue’. The 10-year vision corresponds to the life of this NCS while the 30-year vision reflects the Bold Future vision timeframes

3.2 Strategic objective

‘To conserve the city’s biodiversity and natural assets through Council’s overarching and strong commitment to protecting, managing and restoring a diverse, connected and viable conservation network across public and private lands.’

The success of the strategy will be measured, monitored and communicated by the achievement of two overarching targets:

50 percent native vegetation cover ■■

across the city land area2 by 2019 (no net loss)

55 percent native vegetation cover ■■

across the city land area by 2040 (net gain)3

2City land area is defined as total city area excluding coastal and marine areas but including terrestrial and wetland areas. It equates to the area of the city covered by native vegetation before European settlement (129630 hectares).

3These targets include no net loss of native vegetation from Council activities by 2012.


3.3 Strategic outcomes:

To meet the expectations of the Gold Coast community, Council will develop and apply policies and make decisions to conserve the city’s natural values for future generations. The strategic outcomes contained in this strategy represent Council’s focus for future nature conservation initiatives in the city.

Strategic outcomes Background synopsis

1

Nature conservation is integrated as core business for Council and recognised as an essential foundation for a sustainable city.

Consideration of nature conservation will be integrated into the Corporate Governance Framework, influencing Council’s planning, resource allocation, reporting and organisational foundations.

2

The Gold Coast community has an appreciation, awareness and involvement with the natural environment.

It is essential that the community supports nature conservation, either through direct involvement in action or through the support of decisions, actions and investment by Council and others. An active, involved and aware community has a heightened appreciation of the value and services provided by nature conservation.

3

The city’s terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity, ecosystems and their ecological processes are conserved within a connected network of natural areas.

The Gold Coast is the most biodiverse city in Australia. This can only be sustained through the conservation of our natural assets, including terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments, across a range of tenures.

4

The city has a comprehensive, adequate and representative natural area reserve system.

Consolidation of existing natural area reserves is a focus for future additions to the reserve system. This will be achieved through either land acquisition or the dedication of public open space during the development assessment process.

5

Adaptive management that responds to risks such as climate change is applied in administering Council’s natural area reserve system.

Emerging issues such as climate change, biodiversity and carbon offsets, and increasing demand for nature-based recreation activity require Council to adopt a strategic, well resourced and adaptable approach to the management of its natural area estate.

6

Nature conservation is achieved through partnerships that promote, research, invest in, and coordinate the management of the city’s biodiversity.

The involvement of various organisations, in particular other levels of government, in long-term productive partnerships with Council is essential to all aspects for nature conservation in the city.


3.4 Conservation management units

Gold Coast City covers a diverse and varied built and natural landscape ranging from high density urban areas on the coastal lowlands to rural pursuits in the hinterland valleys and mountains.

To manage the implementation of the strategy across this diversity, the city has been categorised into a suite of conservation management units (CMU) (see Conservation Strategy Map). These geographic units share common nature conservation characteristics and have been assigned a common strategic intent (see table of conservation management units following).

The strategic intent for each CMU provides an on-ground focus for achieving specific aspects of each strategic outcome. For example, part of Strategic Outcome 3 will be achieved through protection of marine ecosystems in the Coastal/Marine CMU while other aspects of Strategic Outcome 3 will be achieved through protection of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Hinterland CMU.

The Conservation Strategy Map as a whole also graphically represents Council’s overarching vision for nature conservation in the city – ‘to protect a viable city-wide conservation network.’


Conservation Strategy Map


Strategic intents for the conservation management units

Core Habitat SystemsCoastal Wetlands and Islands

Conserve coastal terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems and their ecological processes to retain their ■■

viability and provide opportunities for adaptation to climate change

HinterlandConserve intact and connected natural areas to protect the diversity of terrestrial and aquatic species, ■■

ecosystems and ecological processes and provide opportunities for adaptation to climate change and other disturbance

Critical Corridors

Hinterland – Coast

Conserve the ecological function of corridors to provide for the movement of flora and fauna and provide ■■

opportunities for species adaptation to climate changeImprove ecological connectivity through retention of existing vegetation and restoration of degraded areas in ■■

strategic locationsConserve habitat for threatened species and poorly conserved vegetation types■■

Hinterland Conserve vegetated corridors to connect significant tracts of habitat and improve their viability■■

Coastal DunesConserve the unique, sensitive and significant terrestrial and marine ecosystems found along coastal dunes■■

Reduce further fragmentation of the narrow band of dune vegetation and promote connectivity and stability ■■

through ecological restoration

Significant Urban BiodiversitySubstantial Remnants

Retain and enhance the diversity, extent and condition of terrestrial and aquatic habitats within substantial ■■

remnants in urban areas by avoiding and managing impacts arising from pests, fire, unauthorised vehicle access, fragmentation and other edge effects resulting from their urban context

Urban Conservation Mosaic

Conserve the ecological diversity of the urban area by protecting and restoring endangered and locally ■■

endangered regional ecosystems, restoring priority sites, and retaining and connecting vegetation corridors to nodes of habitatWork with residents to create an active, involved and aware community that appreciates the city’s natural ■■

values and supports nature conservation, either through direct involvement in action or through the support of Council and others

Multi-purpose Opportunities

Greenheart Reconstruction

Create a central hub for environmental education and interpretation and a showcase for ecological ■■

restoration techniques and outcomes

CanelandsConserve coastal habitats to retain their viability and provide opportunities for adaptation to climate change■■

Restore degraded areas, including those adjacent to the Albert River and Behms Creek, and those bordering ■■

existing coastal wetlands

Future Management Potential (Extractive)

Conserve the biodiversity and ecological processes of natural areas in quarry buffers■■

Restore and conserve ecological values post operation to provide long-term nature conservation outcomes■■

Coastal / MarineProtect marine biodiversity, ecosystems and their ecological processes, recognising the commercial and ■■

recreational uses of the area

Major WaterwaysConserve the terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of major waterways to protect biodiversity and their ■■

ecological function as wildlife corridors



four

4.1 Performance of the strategy

The success of the 2009 NCS is dependant upon the achievement of the strategic outcomes. This in turn is dependant upon the implementation of the key actions undertaken by Council within each of the conservation management units to conserve the city’s natural values. The following section identifies the key actions required to achieve each of the six strategic outcomes and the specific performance measures that will be used to monitor and report on their achievement. The overall success of the NCS will also be measured, monitored and communicated by the overarching targets in Section 3.2.

4 strategic outcomes, key actions, performance measures and reporting


4.2 Strategic outcomes, key actions and performance measures

Strategic outcome 1

Nature conservation is integrated as core business for Council and recognised as an essential foundation for a sustainable cityPerformance measures

number of Council and committee agenda items that consider nature conservation impacts in reports that require ■■

decision making

Key actions

1 Corporate Governance Framework: Review the Corporate Governance Framework to ensure nature conservation is integrated into Council’s planning, resource allocation, performance monitoring and organisational foundations

2 Corporate information management: Review information management arrangements related to nature conservation across Council

3 Open Space Preservation Levy funding: Develop and implement an Open Space Preservation Levy Expenditure Policy and administrative arrangements


Strategic outcome 2

The Gold Coast community has an appreciation, awareness and involvement with the natural environmentPerformance measures

The community has an appreciation and awareness of the natural environment

percentage increase in visits to Council environmental workshops and education centres■■

percentage increase of residents participating in Council’s volunteer programs■■

percentage increase in the proportion of residents participating in nature-based recreation■■

The community manages private land in accordance with nature conservation principlespercentage increase in native vegetation cover on private land■■

number of participants in the conservation partnerships program■■

hectares restored on private land■■

hectares of private land managed through the conservation partnerships program■■

Key actions

4 Conservation partnerships program: Develop and implement a comprehensive, expanded and integrated conservation partnerships program for landholders in rural areas

5 Urban biodiversity program: Develop and implement an urban biodiversity program that links with other Council plans and programs such as Beaches to Bushland, Citywide Greening and catchment management

6 Integrated volunteer program: Review existing volunteer groups and design and implement an integrated volunteer program

7 Education, communication and marketing: Design and implement effective education and communication programs for nature conservation

8 Flora and Fauna Database: Maintain a web-based flora and fauna database for internal and external use

9

Ecosystem services: Undertake an ecosystem services assessment across the city to determine and promote the economic value of the natural environment

Apply this approach to education and communication, reserve management plans, land acquisitions and voluntary conservation agreements


Strategic outcome 3

The city’s terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity, ecosystems and their ecological processes are conserved within a connected network of natural areasPerformance measures

Natural areas are conserved

percentage of city land area covered in native vegetation■■

percentage of pre-clearing area of vegetation types present in the city■■

health of indicator species populations present in natural areas and waterways■■

The ecological values of waterways across the city are protected and enhanced

average annual grading of waterways across the city (as per Southeast Queensland Healthy Waterways Report Card)■■

percentage of sea grass cover in waterways■■

percentage of minimum 30-metre buffer (both sides) along the city’s waterways supporting native vegetation■■

percentage of Level 2 catchment areas that have management plans (as defined by SEQ Streams and Catchments Atlas 2005)■■

Natural values within the urban footprint are conserved

hectares of native vegetation in urban footprint.■■

The city’s land use change has minimal impact on the natural environment

all of the above measures■■

hectares offset through Council activities■■

hectares offset through private activities■■

number of infrastructure corridors in ecologically sensitive areas■■

Key actions

10 Planning scheme: Inform the development of the Bold Future Planning Scheme by reviewing codes, domains, and maps to improve nature conservation outcomes

11 Ecological offsets: Develop and implement an ecological offset policy, administrative framework and mapping

12 Vegetation protection: Develop and establish a framework for improved vegetation protection in the city

13

Ecological corridor plans: Develop and implement plans for the following priority ecological corridors:

Burleigh - Springbrook■■

Southern Moreton Bay - Pimpama - Wongawallan■■

Southern Moreton Bay - Lake Coombabah - Nerang - Clagiraba■■

Currumbin – Tugun - Cobaki Broadwater (Tweed Shire)■■

Currumbin - Currumbin Valley■■

14 Catchment management: Review and implement catchment management plans in accordance with an endorsed corporate program

15 Coastal management: Identify, map, assess and monitor the ecological values of the coast and implement aspects of relevant plans

16 Threatened species research and management: Undertake research and develop recovery and management plans for priority species

17 Bushfire management: Ensure the Bushfire Management Strategy adequately addresses ecological issues

18 Pest management: Review the Pest Management Plan to include a citywide environmental pest and weed management plan

19 Ecological restoration: Develop and implement guidelines and policies to improve restoration programs

20 Roadside conservation: Develop and implement a city-wide roadside conservation plan


Strategic outcome 4

The city has a comprehensive, adequate and representative natural area reserve systemPerformance measures

percentage of the city’s native vegetation protected in natural area reserves■■

hectares of land in natural area reserves■■

percentage of each vegetation type in natural area estate■■

Key actions

21 Open Space Preservation Levy Land Acquisition Program: Develop and implement a Phase 3 Open Space Preservation Levy Acquisition Policy to guide Council’s Land Acquisition Program. Liaise with other government and non-government agencies to influence their land acquisition programs in the city (relates to key action 26)

Strategic outcome 5

Adaptive management that responds to risks, such as climate change, is applied in administering Council’s natural area reserve systemPerformance measures

percentage of natural area estate actively managed ■■

dollars spent on maintenance budgets for ecological restoration and pest management in the natural area estate■■

hectares of native vegetation restored in the natural area estate■■

dollars spent on capital improvements for appropriate recreational use in the natural area estate■■

percentage change in selected environmental impacts attributed ■■ to nature-based recreation (using sampling)

Key actions

22 Natural area reserve classification system: Develop, apply and maintain a reserve classification system and asset register for all natural area reserves to inform restoration, management and maintenance activities

23 Natural area reserve management: Develop and implement reserve management and associated operational plans. Undertake flora and fauna surveys of acquired areas to inform management actions

24 Nature-based recreation plan for natural area reserves: Develop a city wide strategic framework for sustainable nature-based recreation for natural area reserves


Strategic outcome 6

Nature conservation is achieved through partnerships that promote, research, invest in, and coordinate the management of the city’s biodiversityPerformance measures

number of cooperative management partnerships between Council and other agencies■■

number of partnerships with other agencies for joint land acquisitions■■

number of active research partnerships■■

Key actions

25 Community environmental grants: Develop and implement an environmental grants program

26External partnerships: Identify and maintain cooperative partnerships with natural resource management and planning bodies, other levels of government, and research institutes to achieve nature conservation outcomes. Review the Advocacy Strategy where relevant

27 Ecotourism: Develop and implement ecotourism plans for natural areas across the city

28 External funding partners: Identify priority projects and pursue opportunities for cooperative partnerships with external funding sources, including Eco Fund Queensland


4.3 Corporate governance and nature conservation

In responding comprehensively to the need to conserve the city’s natural values, it is essential that Council integrate nature conservation considerations into its corporate governance arrangements. Council’s Corporate Governance Framework will need to enable nature conservation considerations to permeate organisational planning, resource allocation, performance management and organisational foundations that govern Council’s operation.

4.4 Nature Conservation Strategy reporting

The Corporate Performance Management Framework requires quarterly and annual reporting of strategy implementation and progress. That process monitors the achievement of performance measures through the Our Living City Report, Annual Report and the Corporate Performance Report. During the review of the Corporate Governance Framework consideration will also be given to reporting in a way that draws together all aspects of nature conservation, ie: waterways, catchments, coasts and terrestrial environments.

4.5 Nature Conservation Strategy review arrangements

This strategy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is consistent with the most recent and relevant information, science and response methodology available.

An annual review of the strategy’s implementation action plan will be triggered at a corporate level by Council’s operational and planning processes. An interim review of the strategy will be completed by 2014 and undertaken in line with a review of other corporate documents including the Corporate Plan and community plans. The interim review will identify and respond to any emerging issues, review and refine the overarching targets (Section 3.2) and performance measures (Section 4.2), and develop a new 5-year implementation action plan.

A full review of the strategy will commence in 2017 to be completed in 2019, in time to inform the next Corporate Plan.



five

5.1 Implementation plan

The key actions identified in Section 4.2 are further detailed in Appendix C – 5-year implementation action plan for the NCS.

The implementation, change management and communications activities of this strategy will be primarily coordinated by the Strategic and Environmental Planning and Policy Branch of the Planning Environment and Transport Directorate within Council. Full implementation of the strategy will require an increased level of integration and coordination of nature conservation considerations throughout Council. This will be addressed during the review of the Corporate Governance Framework.

5.2 Financial and resource requirements

The cost of implementing the strategy will be covered by funds raised through the existing OSPL. Progressive increases in this levy will be required over the life of strategy to fund new and existing nature conservation initiatives, service a loan program to fund Phase 3 of the OSPL Land Acquisition Program, fund a portion of the restoration activities that will be required to offset vegetation losses in the urban footprint and achieve the overarching strategy targets relating to vegetation cover (see Section 3.2). It is anticipated that part of the cost of the latter will be funded through development offsets during the development process. Eco Fund Queensland may also contribute funds to the acquisition of conservation areas where offsets are triggered by the State Government’s environmental offsets policies.

The financial costs of implementing the strategy are clearly projected in Council’s Open Space Preservation Levy 10-Year Financial Plan. External funding will also be sought for specific projects through the development of partnerships with other levels of government and industry.

5.3 Responsibility and accountability

Nature conservation actions within Council will require input across all directorates. Service owners are assigned the lead responsibility for those actions that directly relate to their business. A coordinated approach to managing the on-going implementation of the NCS is necessary to achieving its full implementation. Council will integrate its nature conservation activities into governance arrangements to provide the transparent responsibility and accountability for enacting the strategy.

While all Council directorates have a corporate responsibility to contribute to nature conservation outcomes, the level of involvement differs for each individual team or section. A review of the existing functions and operational model will be undertaken as part of the strategy implementation to ensure that nature conservation outcomes are effectively delivered across Council.

5 strategy implementation



six

6 appendices6.1 Appendix A – Natural values of Gold Coast City

Natural values

Native plantsMore than 1672 species of native plants have been recorded■■

Of these, 93 are listed as either Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare under the ■■ Nature Conservation Act 1992

Native animals

More than 604 species of native animals have been recorded■■

This includes 36 species of amphibians, 70 reptiles, 357 birds, 91 mammals and 50 freshwater fish ■■

(collection of comprehensive information on marine species is an action under the 2009 NCS)Of these, three freshwater fish, eight mammal, nine reptile, 11 amphibian, and 22 bird species are listed as ■■

either endangered, vulnerable or rare under the Nature Conservation Act 1992

Native vegetation types

There are 75 native vegetation types mapped and described for the city■■

These include vegetation types associated with coastal dunes and sand plains, brackish and saline ■■

wetlands, alluvial forests, woodlands and wetlands, sub-coastal eucalypt forests and woodlands, sub-coastal vine forests, high elevation forests and woodlands and mountain heaths

Regional ecosystem types

There are 58 regional ecosystem types mapped and described for the city■■

Of these, 24 are listed as poorly conserved under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 including four ■■

endangered and 20 of concern regional ecosystem types

Native vegetation cover

There is 49.1 per cent of the city’s land area covered in native vegetation■■

This equates to 63678 hectares of native vegetation■■

Of this, 54524 hectares is remnant vegetation and 9154 hectares as non-remnant vegetation (as defined ■■

by the Vegetation Management Act 1999)

Nature conservation significance

Approximately 82 per cent of the city’s vegetated areas that have been classified as being of State ■■

Significance, 10 per cent as Regional Significance and eight per cent as Local Significance using the Common Nature Conservation Classification System adopted by all South East Queensland Local Governments

Natural areas protected under state legislation

Large parts of the city’s tidal waterways and wetlands are declared Fish Habitats and Marine Park.■■

Significant parts of the city (14614 hectares; 11.3 per cent of the city’s land area) are contained in ■■

Protected Areas under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 including National Parks (7370 hectares; 5.7 per cent of the city’s land area), future National Parks (557 hectares; 0.4 per cent of the city’s land area), Forest Reserves (4677 hectares; 3.6 per cent of the city’s land area), Conservation Parks (1524 hectares; 1.2 per cent of the city’s land area) and Nature Refuges (486 hectares; 0.4 per cent of the city’s land area)

Natural areas managed by Council

Significant parts of the city (9801 hectares; 7.6 per cent of the city’s land area) are managed by Council for ■■

nature conservationThese include areas acquired through the OSPL Acquisition Program (3588 hectares; 2.8 per cent of the city’s ■■

land area) and other Natural Area Reserves (6213 hectares; 4.8 per cent of the city’s land area)

Voluntary conservation programs

Council coordinates and supports a number of voluntary conservation programs aimed at conserving ■■

biodiversity on private landThe Voluntary Conservation Agreement and/or Land for Wildlife Schemes cover 3680 hectares of habitat in ■■

the city, or 2.8 per cent of the city’s land area

International agreements

The coastal wetlands and islands form part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar site, protecting wetlands of ■■

international significanceThe Springbrook and Lamington plateaus form part of the Border Ranges group of World Heritage listed ■■

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, protecting areas of extremely high species diversityThe intertidal habitats of Moreton Bay provide habitat for more than 30 migratory species listed under ■■

international treaties such as JAMBA, CAMBA and ROKAMBA

NB: City land area is defined as total city area excluding coastal and marine areas but including terrestrial and wetland areas. It equates to the area of the city covered by native vegetation before European settlement (129630 hectares).



6.2 Appendix B – 10-year and 30-year visions for the Nature Conservation Strategy

10-year vision: 2019Environment

Gold Coast City retains its reputation as one of the most biodiverse cities in Australia.

The city wide conservation network supports representative and diverse vegetation communities and ecosystems. All vegetation types and regional ecosystems present in 2009 remain. The network is also present at the landscape scale with vegetated linkages connecting ridgelines and valleys, low and high altitudes, and from the hinterland east to the coast.

The extensive, intact habitat systems have been further consolidated in the hinterland and along the coastal wetlands and islands. They are the cornerstone for building a resilient conservation network that is better positioned to adapt to the changing climate.

The ecosystem health of all natural waterways is rated as good to excellent.

Our beaches and coastline are managed in full knowledge of their ecological values.

Fifty per cent of the city’s original vegetation community types are adequately represented (minimum 30 per cent of the pre-clearing extent) within areas under formal protection and management.

Native vegetation cover is stable at 50 per cent of the city’s land area, demonstrating achievement of the ‘no net loss’ goal.

Community

Biodiversity in urban areas contributes to the community’s sense of place and identity. Residents have a keen appreciation and awareness of the value of the city’s natural areas, which help to define its character, structure and lifestyle.

The community is an advocate for the protection and restoration of the natural environment. There is active and increased participation across the city in coordinated voluntary programs to protect, manage and restore public and privately owned ecologically significant land.

Economic

The economic value of nature conservation to the city is known and recognised in all decision making. Nature conservation is a recognised land use in its own right.

30-year vision: 2040Environment

Gold Coast City retains its reputation as one of the most biodiverse cities in Australia.

The city wide conservation network showcases the city’s natural areas and diverse ecosystems. It is sufficiently robust, connected and diverse to be resilient to changes in climate and disturbance. All vegetation types and regional ecosystems are represented in a connected system of natural areas. Former disturbed ecosystems are now self-sustaining, requiring minimal maintenance.

Ecological connectivity across the city’s landscape is a feature of the conservation network, with restoration of the coastal to hinterland corridors, and progressive restoration within the hinterland core habitat system.

The ecosystem health of all natural waterways is rated as excellent.

Seventy per cent of the city’s original vegetation community types are adequately represented (minimum 30 per cent of the pre-clearing extent) within areas under formal protection and management.

Native vegetation covers at least 55 per cent of the city’s area, highlighting the success of the ‘net gain’ goal.

Community

Council and the community are stewards of the natural environment and are strongly connected to it in both urban and rural landscapes.

Council is recognised for its leadership in managing the natural environment.

Economic

The natural environment is recognised as fundamental to the city’s liveability, attracting economic investment and providing a foundation for a sustainable economy. It is recognised as a major economic driver through its contribution to attracting a skilled workforce, new businesses, encouraging continued visitation, and facilitating the growth of sustainable recreation and commercial fishing, ecotourism ventures, rural production and urban development.



6.3 Appendix C – 5-year implementation action plan for the Nature Conservation Strategy

Approach/action Commencement CompletionLead & partners (to be reviewed as part of strategy implementation)

Total cost until 2013/ 2014 $000’s

Strategic outcome 1: Nature conservation as core business 1 Corporate Governance Framework

1.1Endorse and communicate the NCS as corporate strategy

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, CP&P, EAP, NAMU, CMU

5

1.2

Review the Corporate Governance Framework to ensure nature conservation is integrated into Council’s planning, resource allocation, performance monitoring and organisational foundations. Establish a strategy implementation framework and review the operational model for delivering conservation outcomes across Council

2009/10 2009/10+CP&P, EP&C, NAMU, CMU, EAP

1.3Ensure nature conservation is adequately addressed in related Corporate strategies and plans

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C

1.4

Improve and implement quality assurance processes and checklists to ensure nature conservation issues are considered early in all decisions, plans and projects (especially in relation to infrastructure provision)

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, CMU, EAP, GCW

1.5Develop a preliminary case for global recognition of city’s ecological values

2012/13 2012/13EP&C, NAMU, CC, C. GOV, EDMP, CMU

50

2 Corporate information management

2.1

Review corporate information management arrangements for nature conservation, including geographic information systems, databases and filing

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, NAMU, CMU, EAP, CP&P

3 Open Space Preservation Levy funding

3.1Develop and implement an Open Space Preservation Levy expenditure policy and administrative arrangements

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, NAMU, FS

Strategic outcome 2: Community and the natural environment4 Conservation partnerships program

4.1Develop a comprehensive, expanded and integrated conservation partnerships program

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, NAMU, CC 50

4.2Implement the conservation partnerships program

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, CC 2465




5 Urban biodiversity program

5.1Develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted urban biodiversity program with communication and marketing input

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA

50

5.2 Implement the new urban biodiversity program 2010/11 2010/11+EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA

650

5.3Identify and implement links with other Council plans and programs

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU

6 Integrated volunteer program

6.1Undertake a review of existing volunteer groups and design an integrated approach that reflects best practice

2009/10 2009/10+NAMU, EP&C, CMU, EAP

6.2 Implement the integrated volunteer program 2010/11 2010/11+NAMU, EP&C, CMU, EAP

400

7 Education, communications and marketing

7.1Review existing and develop education materials in conjunction with Education Queensland

2009/10 2009/10CC, EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, CC

25

7.2Appoint education, communication and marketing officer

2009/10 2009/10+CC/NAMU/ EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS

375

7.3 Update Council’s website 2009/10 2009/10+CC, EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, CC

50

7.4Design a comprehensive marketing and communication plan for nature conservation

2009/10 2009/10CC, EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, CC

50

7.5Implement the marketing and communication plan for nature conservation

2009/10 2009/10+CC, EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS

100

7.6Establish an environmental education and interpretation centre

2009/10 2010/11EDMP, EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS

7.7Contribute to the operation (ie: nature conservation aspects) of the environmental education and interpretation centre

2011/12 2011/12+EDMP, EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, NAMU

1000

8 Flora and Fauna Database

8.1Maintain a web-based flora and fauna database for internal and external use

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, EP&LA, CMU, NAMU, EAP

600




8.2Provide training for officers, developers and the community on the use and application of the Flora and Fauna Database

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C

9 Ecosystem services

9.1 Ecosystem Services Scoping Study 2010/11 2010/11EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, NAMU

10

9.2Develop a summary description and assessment of key ecosystem services present across the city

2010/11 2010/11EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, NAMU

100

9.3Undertake three case studies in specific geographic areas to demonstrate the application of ecosystem services

2010/11 2011/12EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, NAMU

150

9.4Apply an ecosystem services approach to reserve management plans, land acquisitions and voluntary conservation agreements

2010/11 2010/11+EP&C, EAP, CMU, EP&LA, P&RS, NAMU

40

9.5

Assess, refine, and use the results of the South East Queensland Catchments Ecosystem Services project to inform the development of conservation, catchment and coastal plans

2010/11 2010/11EP&C, NAMU, EAP, CMU

25

Strategic outcome 3: Conservation of biodiversity10 Planning scheme

10.1

Review and strengthen the Vegetation Management, Nature Conservation Areas, and Natural Wetland Areas and Natural Waterways Codes and related policies. Update the current maps and undertake more detailed mapping to support code implementation in priority locations. Prepare guidelines to assist in code implementation. Develop a new nature conservation and rural/conservation domain

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, EP&LA, CPU 254

10.2

Ensure more recent mapping (including that resulting from the NCS Mapping Review (2001 and 2003), the Koala Habitat mapping and relevant layers from the 2009 NCS) inform the Planning Scheme Review, especially during the initial phases

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, CPU 50

10.3Review and maintain the Planning Scheme and related mapping and policies

2010/11 2010/11+ EP&C 801

10.4Review and improve the development assessment and enforcement process

2009/10 2010/11 EP&LA, EP&C




10.5

Train Council officers on the application of codes, policies, the development assessment process, local laws, covenants and public open space dedication

2009/10 2011/12 EP&C/EP&LA, CPU

10.6Develop and establish a framework for managing covenants

2009/10 2009/10 EP&LA, EP&C

10.7Develop a strategy and refine processes to improve public open space dedication during the development assessment process

2009/10 2009/10EP&LA, NAMU, P&RS

11 Ecological offsets

11.1Assess potential offset models and consider participation in the proposed Southeast Queensland Bioregional offsets scheme

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU

11.2Develop and implement an ecological offset policy and administrative framework

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU, EAP

475

11.3Identify and map potential ecological offset areas to inform policy implementation

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU

60

12 Vegetation protection

12.1Develop and establish a framework for effective vegetation protection in the city

2010/11 2010/11 EP&C, EP&LA

13 Ecological corridor plans

13.1

Develop and implement corridor plans for the two remaining high priority critical corridors:

Southern Moreton Bay - Pimpama - •Wongawallan (also known as the inter-urban break)

Southern Moreton Bay - Lake •Coombabah - Nerang - Clagiraba

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU

100

13.2

Develop and implement corridor plans for the other two critical corridors:

Currumbin – Tugun – Cobaki Broadwater •(Tweed Shire)

Currumbin - Currumbin Valley•

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, EP&LA, CMU

100

14 Catchment management

14.1Develop, adopt and implement a Watercycle Management Strategy approach across Council

2009/10 2009/10+CMU, PET, ES, GCW, CG




14.2Review catchment management plans in accordance with corporate priorities (eg: as set by a Watercycle Management Strategy)

2009/10 2009/10+CMU, NAMU, EP&C, EAP, EP&LA, GCW, CPU, W&FM

14.3Develop and implement an effective monitoring and reporting process to communicate progress

2009/10 2009/10+ CMU 50

14.4Develop and implement links with other Council plans and programs

2009/10 2009/10+ CMU

14.5Develop a policy for dredging in estuarine waterways reflective of ecological priorities

2009/10 2009/10 CMU, ES 10

14.6

Audit existing infrastructure that crosses waterways and mitigate ecological impacts. Develop design guidelines for future infrastructure

2010/11 2011/12CMU, CS, ES, EP&LA

130

15 Coastal management

15.1Identify, map, assess and monitor the ecological values of the city’s coast (open beaches, Moreton Bay and tidal areas)

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, EAP, CMU 380

15.2Prepare and implement the Ocean Beaches and Foreshores Strategy

2009/10 2009/10+EDMP, EAP, EP&C, P&RS, CMU

15.3Prepare and implement ecological aspects of individual Beach Protection Strategies identified through the Shoreline Management Plan

2009/10 2009/10+EAP, EP&C, P&RS, CMU

15.4Develop a coastal environmental health monitoring and reporting program

2009/10 2009/10 EAP, EP&C, CMU 75

15.5Implement community coastal engagement programs (eg: CoastEd and BeachCare)

2009/10 2009/10+ EAP, NAMU, EP&C 725

16 Threatened species research and management

16.1Develop threatened species recovery and management plans for priority species

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, NAMU

16.2

Implement research, monitoring and management recommendations for those species identified as high priority in CNCCS mapping and in accordance with regular assessment and prioritisation. Use the results to develop practical management actions and apply them to relevant planning and management activities

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, NAMU, CMU, EAP

2000




16.3

Seek Council and State Government endorsement to adopt additional Koala Habitat Areas. Incorporate into the Planning Scheme together with supporting management programs

2009/10 2011/12 EP&C

16.4Continue to implement the East Coomera Koala Conservation Project

2009/10 2011/12 EP&C, NAMU 1016

17 Bushfire management

17.1Finalise the review of the Bushfire Management Strategy, ensuring that it adequately addresses ecological requirements

2009/10 2009/10 NAMU, EP&C

18 Pest management

18.1

Review the Pest Management Plan to provide better mechanisms for the management of environmental pests and weeds. Ensure that it includes a city-wide Environmental Pest and Weed Management Plan

2009/10 2009/10 PMU, NAMU, EP&C

19 Ecological restoration

19.1Develop restoration guidelines and the restoration manual

2009/10 2009/10NAMU, CMU, EP&C, EP&LA

30

19.2 Develop and implement a seed collection policy 2009/10 2009/10NAMU, EP&C, EP&LA

10

19.3Coordinate planting and greening programs across Council

2009/10 2010/11CS, EAP, CMU, PMU, NAMU, CWG

19.4 Redesign the volunteer program 2009/10 2009/10NAMU, EP&C, EAP, CMU

19.5 Establish and operate a plant propagation centre 2009/10 2009/10+ NAMU, EP&C, CMU 595

19.6 Establish specialist dune restoration teams 2011/12 2011/12+ EAP, NAMU, CMU 750

19.7 Establish specialist riparian restoration teams 2010/11 2010/11+ CMU, NAMU 1125

19.8Establish a second 'high conservation value vegetation' restoration team

2009/10 2009/10+ NAMU, CMU 1425

19.9Undertake restoration required to achieve no net loss targets

2011/12 2011/12+NAMU, CMU, EAP, EP&C

3300

20 Roadside conservation

20.1Develop and implement a citywide roadside conservation plan to conserve the nature conservation values of high priority roadsides

2010/11 2010/11 EP&C, ES, NAMU 80




Strategic outcome 4: Comprehensive reserve system 21 Open Space Preservation Levy Land Acquisition Program

21.1Undertake planning studies to inform the land acquisition program (eg: Corridor Plans and the Vegetation Community Representation project)

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, NAMU

21.2Develop a Phase 3 OPSL Acquisition Policy that facilitates the protection of priority areas

2009/10 2009/10EP&C, NAMU, CMU, CS

21.3Present an acquisition strategy to Council and implement

2009/10 2014/15 EP&C 31763

21.4Investigate options for securing the long term protection of the conservation areas acquired with the OSPL

2009/10 2009/10 EP&C, NAMU 30

21.5Liaise with other government and non-government agencies to influence their land acquisition programs in the city

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, NAMU

Strategic outcome 5: Reserve management 22 Natural area reserve classification system

22.1

Develop, apply and maintain a reserve classification system and asset register for all natural area reserves. Use the classification system to inform restoration, management and maintenance activities

2009/10 2009/10 NAMU, EP&C 40

22.2Review and rationalise Council’s conservation reserves with negligible conservation value

2010/11 2010/11+ NAMU, EP&C 100

23 Nature area reserve management

23.1

Undertake flora and fauna surveys of acquired areas and prepare management recommendations. Use these to inform the development of management plans for acquired areas

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, NAMU 1500

23.2Develop and implement reserve management and associated operational plans

2009/10 2009/10+ NAMU 23993

24 Nature-based recreation plan for natural area reserves

24.1

Develop a city-wide strategic framework for sustainable nature-based recreation. Use it to guide decisions regarding access, recreational use and facilities at the individual natural area reserve and cluster level

2009/2010 2012/2013 NAMU, RP&A 200




Strategic outcome 6: Partnership opportunities25 Community environment grants

25.1Develop and implement an environmental grants program

2010/11 2010/11+ EP&C, NAMU, CMU 866

26 External partnerships

26.1

Identify priority groups and set up a process to invest in partnerships with these groups. Maintain existing priority partnerships. Review the advocacy strategy where relevant

2009/10 2009/10+EP&C, NAMU, CMU, PMU, CS

26.2Identify joint projects and interests with Southeast Queensland Catchments

2010/11 2010/11+NAMU, EP&C, CMU, PMU

80

26.3

Develop cooperative partnerships with extractive industries and the Urban Development Institute of Australia to achieve nature conservation outcomes

2009/10 2009/10+ EP&C, NAMU

26.4Partner with research bodies to assess impacts and adaptation strategies to the conservation network in response to climate change

2009/10 2010/11EP&C, NAMU, CMU, EAP

100

27 Ecotourism

27.1Develop and implement eco-tourism plans for natural areas across the city

2010/11 2010/11+EDMP, NAMU, EP&C, CMU, PMU

160

28 External funding partners

28.1

Identify priority projects and potential funding partners (including Eco Fund Queensland), develop required business cases and present to potential partners

2010/11 2010/11CC, NAMU, EP&C, CMU, PMU


Team Acronyms

CAM Corporate Asset Management EDMPEconomic Development and Major Projects

NAMUNatural Areas Management Unit

CC Corporate Communications EP&CEnvironmental Planning and Conservation Team

OCEOOffice of the Chief Executive Officer

CMU Catchment Management Unit EP&LAEnvironmental Planning and Landscape Assessment

PMU Pest Management Unit

CP&PCorporate Planning and Performance

ES Engineering Services P&RS Parks and Recreational Services

CS Community Services Directorate GCW Gold Coast Water RP&ARecreation Planning and Assessment

CWG Citywide Greening I&AImplementation and Assessment Branch

SIS Spatial Information Services

EAPEngineering Assets and Planning

IT Information Technology W&FMWaterways and Flood Management



photo creditsMany of the images used in this document were taken by Gold Coast residents. Contributors are acknowledged by page as follows:

1 Clay Simpkins

2 Gold Coast City Council

3 O’Reillys (Rose-crowned fruit dove)

4 Angela Johnson

5 Ian Hinrichsen

6 Jason Tyrer

9 Alice Plassais

10 James Colyer

11 Todd Burrows

13 Jeff Short

16 David Magahy

17 Lynette Reilly

18 Nick Carrigg

19 Kylie Lukins

20 George Gorgenyi

21 Amanda Langelaan

22 Maria Amrein

23 Lynette Reilly and Shane Bell

24 Murray Tardent

25 Narelle Power

26 Lisa Frost

28 David Pagey


31 Claire Melville


33 Vicki Ferrari

34 Gavin Schiller


36 Melissa Jones

37 Barney Enders

38 George Gorgenyi


40 Kate Vanscolina


42 O’Reillys (Rose-crowned fruit dove)


notes____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



GC

CC

616

6

Prin

ted

on e

nviro

nmen

tally

frie

ndly

pap

er.

Visit www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au and find out more detail about how you can get involved in nature conservation.

Prepared by Gold Coast City Council and Sinclair Knight Merz.

Copyright Gold Coast City Council 2009

Published in June 2009

Documents

Nature Conservation Strategy - City of Gold Coast€¦ · 1 executive summary The 2009 Nature Conservation Strategy (NCS) demonstrates Gold Coast City Council’s ongoing and increasing