NOTICE OF MEETING - Shire of Mundaring file20.03.2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CONFIRMED 17.04.2012 EAC2 MARCH 2012 LEGEND To assist the reader, the following explains

ORG.MTG 7/2/2

14 March 2012

NOTICE OF MEETING Dear Committee Member The next Environmental Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday,20 March 2012 at 6.00pm in the Administration Building, 7000 Great Eastern Highway Mundaring. Yours sincerely Jonathan Throssell CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Please Note If any Councillor has a concern regarding a report item or requires additional information in relation to a report item, please contact the senior officer (noted in the report) prior to the meeting.

20.03.2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CONFIRMED 17.04.2012

EAC1 MARCH 2012

AGENDA

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

20 MARCH 2012

ATTENTION/DISCLAIMER

This agenda has yet to be dealt with by the Committee. The recommendations shown at the foot of each item have yet to be considered by the Committee and are not to be interpreted as being the position of either the Committee or Council.

Before acting on any recommendation of the Committee a check must also be made in the Council minutes following the Committee meeting to ensure that Council did not make a decision at variance to the Committee Recommendation.

In certain circumstances members of the public are not entitled to inspect material, which in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer, relates to a meeting or a part of a meeting that is likely to be closed to members of the public.

No responsibility whatsoever is implied or accepted by the Shire of Mundaring for any act, omission, statement or intimation occurring during Council or Committee meetings.

The Shire of Mundaring disclaims any liability for any loss whatsoever and howsoever caused arising out of reliance by any person or legal entity on any such act, omission or statement of intimation occurring during Council or Committee meetings.

Any person or legal entity who acts or fails to act in reliance upon any statement, act or omission made in a Council or Committee meeting does so at that person’s or legal entity’s own risk.

In particular and without derogating in any way from the broad disclaimer above, in any discussion regarding any planning application or application for a licence, any statement or intimation of approval made by any member or employee of the Shire of Mundaring during the course of any meeting is not intended to be and is not taken as notice of approval from the Shire of Mundaring.

The Shire of Mundaring advises that anyone who has any application lodged with the Shire of Mundaring must obtain and should only rely on WRITTEN CONFIRMATION of the outcome of the application and any conditions attaching to the decision made by the Shire of Mundaring in respect of the application.

The Shire of Mundaring advises that any plans or documents contained within this agenda may be subject to copyright law provisions (Copyright Act 1968, as amended) and that the express permission of the copyright owner(s) should be sought prior to their reproduction. It should be noted that Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against any persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may represent a copyright infringement.


EAC2 MARCH 2012

LEGEND To assist the reader, the following explains the method of referencing used in

this document:

Item Example Description

Page Numbers

EAC1 MARCH 12 (EAC2, OSC3 etc)

Sequential page numbering of EAC Agenda or Minutes for March 2012

Item Numbers 8.1 (8.2, 8.3 etc) Sequential numbering of reports

under the heading “8.0 Reports of Officers”

Committee Recommendation Reference

EAC20.03.12 Committee Recommendation number 11 from EAC meeting March 2012

Committee Decision Reference

DEAC7.03.2012 Committee Decision number 7 from EAC meeting March 2012

CONTENTS


EAC3 MARCH 2012

1.0 OPENING PROCEDURES 4

1.1 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES ....................................................... 4

2.0 RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC QUESTIONS TAKEN ON

NOTICE 4

3.0 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME (LIMIT OF 15 MINUTES) 4

4.0 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 4

5.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDING PERSON WITHOUT

DISCUSSION 4

6.0 PRESENTATIONS 4

7.0 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS 5

7.1 DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INTEREST AND PROXIMITY INTERESTS ........................ 5

7.2 DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST AFFECTING IMPARTIALITY .......................................... 5

8.0 REPORTS OF OFFICERS 6

8.1 EAC MEETING FORMAT FOR 2012 .................................................................. 6

8.2 PROPOSED EAC 2012-2013 BUDGET ............................................................. 9

8.3 ROADSIDE CONSERVATION STRATEGY ............................................................ 13

9.0 CLOSING PROCEDURES 17

9.1 DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING ................................................ 17

9.2 CLOSURE OF THE MEETING ........................................................................... 17

10.0 ATTACHMENTS 17


EAC4 MARCH 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 6.00PM

1.0 OPENING PROCEDURES 1.1 Record of Attendance and Apologies

Members Staff Mrs C Kinsella Minute Secretary Apologies Mr D Murphy Guests Members of the Public Members of the Press

2.0 RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC QUESTIONS TAKEN ON

NOTICE 3.0 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME (LIMIT OF 15 MINUTES)

Procedures for asking and responding to questions are determined by the Person Presiding. Questions must relate to a function of the Committee. Note: This is not a verbatim record of questions asked and answers given. It is a summary only.

4.0 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

That the minutes of the meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee held Tuesday 21 February 2012 be confirmed.

5.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDING PERSON WITHOUT

DISCUSSION (Includes the granting of permission to speak for members of the public present). 6.0 PRESENTATIONS


EAC5 MARCH 2012

7.0 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS 7.1 Disclosure of Financial Interest and Proximity Interests

Members must disclose the nature of their interest in matters to be discussed at the meeting (Sections 5.60B and 5.65 of the Local Government Act 1995). Employees must disclose the nature of their interest in reports or advice when giving the report or advice to the meeting (Sections 5.70 and 5.71 of the Local Government Act 1995).

7.2 Disclosure of Interest Affecting Impartiality Members and staff must disclose their interest in matters to be discussed at the meeting in respect of which the member or employee has given or will give advice. (Shire of Mundaring Code of Conduct, Local Government (Admin) Reg. 34C).


EAC6 MARCH 2012

8.0 REPORTS OF OFFICERS

8.1 EAC Meeting Format for 2012

File Code

Date of Report 13 March 2012

Location / Address

Applicant

Author Toni Burbidge Coordinator Environment and Sustainability

Senior Officer Mark Luzi Director Statutory Services

Disclosure of Any Interest Nil

SUMMARY: This report discusses the possibility of an alternative EAC meeting format and structure for 2012. BACKGROUND: Previous years have alternated monthly between a workshop and formal meeting. Further, the EAC have undertaken a small formal component at the beginning of each workshop meeting in 2011.

The EAC has a Terms of Reference which states:

Ordinary meetings of the Committee shall be held at least three times in a financial year commencing 1st July. Special meetings of the Committee may be convened by: a. The Chairman, or b. Any three members of the Committee or, c. Council By giving written notice to all members of the Committee not less than seven days before the meeting and advising of the matter to be discussed at the meeting.

Previous workshops have allowed for robust discussion and themes to be developed on key environmental issues affecting the shire and have progressed many environmental strategies and documents.

STATUTORY / LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Nil


EAC7 MARCH 2012

Item 8.1 cont’d 2

POLICY IMPLICATIONS: EAC workshops and meetings have progressed Environmental Policy. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Projects arising from EAC meetings and workshops require budget for implementation. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: The Shire’s Strategic Directions Document has a large focus on protecting and enhancing the Environment. SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS: The EAC undertake projects which assist in the sustainability principles of Social, Financial and Environmental improvements to the Shire. RISK IMPLICATIONS: Should a monthly meeting format be continued, there is a risk of no items being presented and the meeting being cancelled. CONSULTATION: The EAC is being consulted during this agenda item on the meeting format. COMMENT: The EAC has been meeting for many years. There have been several formats of the meetings over these years including; 1. Meetings every month except December and January. 2. Meetings and workshops alternating every month 3. A small formal meeting every second month followed by a workshop. The above three meeting format options raises issues with providing staff for the EAC meetings/workshops and providing enough items for agendas every month. The provision of agenda items was one of the reasons that the meetings developed into a formal meeting/workshop format in the past two years. Currently the EAC have been meeting monthly and this means that staff have little time between meetings to write agenda items and work on larger tasks that the EAC have undertaken before the next meeting is due. It is also noted that other committees of Council have a short mid-year break to provide their volunteers with a refresh break during the middle of the year before the new budget is adopted and projects are commenced. It may be the view of EAC members that a short break in June would be beneficial.


EAC8 MARCH 2012

Item 8.1 cont’d 3

It would be suggested however that a formal meeting be required for May to finalise any budget and project items and in July to commence new projects with a new budget. Further, workshops have proved to assist in reviewing strategies and environmental issues that the EAC have been interested in. EAC members will note that the themes for the workshops have not been included in the attachment. It is recommended that during the EAC meeting, members discuss what environmental issues they wish to workshop during 2012. Suggested topics include;

Roadside Conservation Strategy

Integrated Catchment Management Plan Review

Weeds Brochure Review – following on from information gathered from Friends Group Networking Event 2011.

Environmental Engagement Project – with involvement from the subcommittee.

Schools Environmental Education Project

Review of the Community Education Strategy

State of the Environment Report Review

It is also respectfully reminded to EAC members that the terms of reference states that a meeting is to be held at least 3 times a year. The EAC purpose is an advisory committee and shall advise Council on community opinion and attitude on environmental issues within the Shire, work within the community to encourage an environmental ethic and consider and provide recommendations to Council on any matter referred to it by Council. It is therefore suggested that the format presented for consideration at the March 2012 meeting be considered as the best workable solution for conducting the Environmental Advisory Committee. VOTING REQUIREMENT: Simple majority

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION

That:- 1. EAC members adopt the proposed meeting and workshop format for 2012. 2. EAC members suggest topics for EAC workshops in 2012.


EAC9 MARCH 2012

8.2 Proposed EAC 2012-2013 Budget

File Code


Location / Address N/A

Applicant N/A

Author Toni Burbidge, Environmental Officer

Senior Officer Mark Luzi, Director Statutory Services

Disclosure of Any Interest

Nil

SUMMARY: This report outlines the proposed budget allocation for a number of EAC projects for the 2011-2013 Financial Year. In particular, the projects focus on the implementation of the Shire’s Community Engagement Strategy and Friends Group Strategy. BACKGROUND: The EAC as a Community Steering Group has the carriage of a number of projects which are associated with the Shire’s Strategies under the Draft Environmental Management Plan, including the Community Education Strategy and Friends Group Strategy. The budget for EAC projects for 2012-2013 is described below in detail. The budget allocation for 2012-2013 is $16,000 which will cease at the end of this financial year. This is the same amount as the current budget. STATUTORY / LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The projects outlined below are opportunities to implement the Shire’s Draft Environmental Management Plan.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The Shire is currently undergoing its Financial Budget review and funds to a value of $16,000 have been requested for 2012-2013 to implement EAC projects.


EAC10 MARCH 2012

Item 8.2 cont’d 2

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: EAC projects contribute to Shire Strategic directions through activities related to Shire environmental strategies including the Community Education Strategy, Friends Group Strategy and strategies in development such as the Private Land Conservation Strategy and the State of the Environment reporting process. SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS: Social The proposed projects provide opportunities for increased community participation in Shire environmental initiatives (1.2.2), as well as providing training and awareness-raising opportunities and materials (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.4). The proposals also address recognition of the value of Shire environmental volunteers. Environmental Several of the proposals will result in increased community commitment to maintaining and enhancing habitats, watercourses and bushland within the Shire. (2.1.3, 2.1.5, 2.1.6) Economic Benefits to the Community include improving the environment through on-ground works and increasing community awareness of the values of the Shire’s environment whilst promoting the use of local business in conducting works (3.1.1, 3.1.2). CONSULTATION: Several of the proposed projects will facilitate consultation opportunities. COMMENT:

The Shire’s Proposed Budget is $16,000 for the 2012-2013 financial year for EAC Environmental Projects. The following budget outline is presented for EAC consideration.

Proposed Activity 11/12 Budget 12/13 Proposed Budged

Schools Art Competition 3500 3500

School Environmental Education

1000 1000

Environmental Engagement 1000 1000

Environmental Information Pack

500 500

Friends Group Strategy

Volunteer Recognition Event

2500 2500


EAC11 MARCH 2012

Item 8.2 cont’d 3

Friends Group networking Event

500 500

Other Friends Group Materials

1000 1000

Community Education Strategy- Environmental Promotion

Fauna Awareness 5000

Other Projects 1000 6000

TOTAL 16,000 16,000

Detailed explanations of proposed budget items are below;

School Art Competition – this will continue from previous years and work in association with the Mundaring Arts Centre and a provisional sum of $3,500 has been provided.

School Environmental Education – The EAC are required to provide direction to Shire staff on projects related to Environmental Education. A provisional sum of $1,000 has been provided.

Environmental Engagement – A Provisional sum of $1,000 has been provided and Shire staff require direction from the EAC on how this will be utilised.

Environmental Information Pack – has been completed. The $500 budgeted will provide postage of new resident packs to new residents in the Shire.

Friends Group Strategy – o Volunteer Recognition Event – held in association with the Eastern

Hills Catchment Management Program every year, celebrates the achievements of environmental volunteers in the Swan, Mundaring and Kalamunda Shires (Eastern Region). This is an annual contribution.

o Friends Group Networking Event – provides opportunities for the

Shire’s Friends Groups and Catchment Groups to network.

o Other Friends Group Materials – This will provide funds for the Bushcare Coordinator to facilitate information/materials required to implement the Friends Group Strategy.

Environmental Promotion – Community Education Strategy o A provisional sum of $6,000 has been provided under the

Communication Education Strategy. Shire Staff require direction from the EAC on how this may be spent.


EAC12 MARCH 2012

Item 8.2 cont’d 4

The EAC may require some funds for fauna awareness strategy however please note that the Shire has assisted with funds for the Connection to Fauna project ($5,000) in the current financial year to progress this project.

VOTING REQUIREMENT: Simple majority


That the Environmental Advisory Committee accepts the provisional budget and projects proposed for the 2012-2013 financial year.


EAC13 MARCH 2012

8.3 Roadside Conservation Strategy

File Code


Author EAC Roadside Conservation Subcommittee Tom Hogarth

Senior Officer Toni Burbidge Coordinator Environment and Sustainability

Disclosure of Any Interest

Nil

SUMMARY: This report provides an update on the considerations of the EAC Roadside Conservation sub-committee.

BACKGROUND: The EAC has a pending item initiated on the 16 November 2004 to revise the Strategy for implementation of roadside conservation within the shire. In June 2011 the EAC was presented with information from the Shire’s Environmental Officer, Ryan Hepworth, regarding Roadside Conservation within the Shire. This report recommended the creation of the Roadside Conservation Sub Committee. STATUTORY / LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The development of a Roadside Conservation Strategy is identified in the Draft Environmental Management Plan 2012 under the Key Focus Area of Biodiversity. The Shire has a Policy - EV-01 Protection of Local Native Vegetated Road Reserves which has recently been reviewed but not adopted by Council yet. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are requirements for staffing time and resources for a strategy to be created under the proposal by the Subcommittee. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: The Shire’s Strategic Directions document refers to the protection and enhancement of the environment. This includes Roadside vegetation.


EAC14 MARCH 2012

Item 8.3 cont’d 2

SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS: Social Roadside conservation is impacted by residents, utilities and contractors. Any consideration on verges adjacent to residents will have a social impact. Weed control on roadsides will assist in fire management and thus the safety of the community. Environmental The protection and enhancement of roadside vegetation will have a positive impact on the environment. Financial The restoration of native vegetation and weed control will reduce the need for additional programs such as erosion control in road reserves. CONSULTATION: The EAC subcommittee has met to discuss Roadside conservation in the Shire of Mundaring and the issues associated with this. COMMENT: The Roadside Conservation Subcommittee has provided the following comments. 1. The Sub Committee has resolved that the EAC and subsequently the

Shire adopt a strategy very similar to that currently being considered for the Reserves Management in the Shire of Mundaring.

2. Having considered the materials produced by the DEC ‘Roadside

Conservation Committee, the materials from Ryan Hepworth’s research and work, as well as anecdotal experiences of the sub-committee members in relation to roadsides, a policy seems inadequate in comparison to a strategic framework by which the Roadsides vested in the Shire are managed.

3. The Sub Committee has observed the issues that are of concern on the

subject of

Fire Management

Weed management

Loss of Vegetation

Watercourse Management 4. Roadside conservation issues link remarkably well to broader

environmental management considerations for the Shire.


EAC15 MARCH 2012

Item 8.3 cont’d 3

5. The full length of roads within the Shire that fall under the Roadside Conservation Strategy is 1,636 kms. The sub-committee believes that within that 1600Km there will be roadsides that do not require management or investment in the short term as the main objective of the roadside will not be conservation. For example, some roadsides may be fully cleared.

6. The implementation of a comprehensive management strategy needs to

be mindful of overall standards of roadside integrity. The sub-committee believes that these standards require further research.

7. The Sub-Committee believes that the vision as stated in the EAC June

2011 report remains firmly the main focus of the work required:

To protect, maintain and enhance roadside vegetation within the Shire of Mundaring

8. The Sub-committee, after consideration of road design, road verges, and

the range of management issues in detail, considers that the vision requires an implementation plan which is mindful of financial and other constraints.

From this it is hoped that with EAC and Council consideration, that time and resources might be available to work on establishing the management framework, standards of road verges, and eventually an ‘inventory’ of types of road verge that can provide both shire officers, and members of the public adequate understanding of road verge types and what can be done with them.

In Summary, the sub-committee recommends that further work on the strategic framework be developed so that a management plan for Roadside Conservation is developed over time. OFFICER COMMENT: The Coordinator Environment and Sustainability has received the above report from the EAC Roadside Conservation Sub-committee and has formatted the information provided above. It is clear that the Roadside Conservation Strategy requires a Management Framework. It is also apparent that the Subcommittee agrees with the vision. In summarising the above information it is understood that the Sub-committee would like assistance from Council to provide officer time and a budget to create a Strategy for Roadside Conservation within the Shire. Roadside Conservation issues are applicable to more than Environmental Services within the Shire. The issues are also relevant to Infrastructure Services and Community Safety. With this in mind, involvement of these other service units is imperative to the success of the strategy.


EAC16 MARCH 2012

Item 8.3 cont’d 4 It is suggested that the Sub-Committee work on a suitable Management Framework that can be taken to all services within the Shire prior to Council receiving a draft Strategy to adopt. Further, it should be noted that the Shire’s Corporate Planning prioritises resources such as budget and staff time required for the creation of a Roadside Conservation Strategy and therefore the timing of this Strategy must be consistent with the Shire’s Priorities. An Alternative Recommendation is therefore proposed: That: The EAC Sub-committee formalise a Management Framework for Roadside Conservation, including details of a proposed outline of the Strategy. The Coordinator Environment and Sustainability investigate the priorities of Corporate Planning, including staffing time and resources required to complete the project. VOTING REQUIREMENT: Simple Majority


That the EAC endorse a proposal to Council that Roadside Conservation in the Shire of Mundaring be defined by a Strategy, and not a policy, and that officer time and resources be allocated to work on the development of a Management framework. That the Sub Committee continue to work with officers on the details of the roadside standards and management and regularly report back to the EAC on the issues.


EAC17 MARCH 2012

9.0 CLOSING PROCEDURES 9.1 Date, Time and Place of the Next Meeting

The next Environmental Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 at 6.00pm at the Administration Building.

9.2 Closure of the Meeting 10.0 ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT NO.

ITEM NO.

SUBJECT

1 1 EAC Meeting Format

2 Community Education Strategy

3 Schedule of Current Activities

4 Budget Items 2011 - 2012

5 Invitation ‘How do we work together for ecosystem health?’

Documents

NOTICE OF MEETING - Shire of Mundaring file20.03.2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES CONFIRMED 17.04.2012 EAC2 MARCH 2012 LEGEND To assist the reader, the following explains