Agenda of Biodiversity Advisory Committee Meeting

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

What is a “Conflict of Interests” - A conflict of interests can be of two types:

Pecuniary - an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person or another person with whom the person is associated.

Non-pecuniary – a private or personal interest that a Council official has that does not amount to a pecuniary interest as defined in the Code of Conduct for Councillors (eg. A friendship, membership of an association, society or trade union or involvement or interest in an activity and may include an interest of a financial nature).

Remoteness – a person does not have a pecuniary interest in a matter if the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision the person might make in relation to a matter or if the interest is of a kind specified in the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Who has a Pecuniary Interest? - a person has a pecuniary interest in a matter if the pecuniary interest is the interest of the person, or another person with whom the person is associated (see below).

Relatives, Partners - a person is taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter if:

§ The person’s spouse or de facto partner or a relative of the person has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or

§ The person, or a nominee, partners or employer of the person, is a member of a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter.

N.B. “Relative”, in relation to a person means any of the following:

(a) the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descends or adopted child of the person or of the person’s spouse;

(b) the spouse or de facto partners of the person or of a person referred to in paragraph (a)

No Interest in the Matter - however, a person is not taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter:

§ If the person is unaware of the relevant pecuniary interest of the spouse, de facto partner, relative or company or other body, or

§ Just because the person is a member of, or is employed by, the Council.

§ Just because the person is a member of, or a delegate of the Council to, a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter provided that the person has no beneficial interest in any shares of the company or body.

Disclosure and participation in meetings

§ A Councillor or a member of a Council Committee who has a pecuniary interest in any matter with which the Council is concerned and who is present at a meeting of the Council or Committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable.

§ The Councillor or member must not be present at, or in sight of, the meeting of the Council or Committee:

(a) at any time during which the matter is being considered or discussed by the Council or Committee, or

(b) at any time during which the Council or Committee is voting on any question in relation to the matter.

No Knowledge - a person does not breach this Clause if the person did not know and could not reasonably be expected to have known that the matter under consideration at the meeting was a matter in which he or she had a pecuniary interest.

Non-pecuniary Interests - Must be disclosed in meetings.

There are a broad range of options available for managing conflicts & the option chosen will depend on an assessment of the circumstances of the matter, the nature of the interest and the significance of the issue being dealt with. Non-pecuniary conflicts of interests must be dealt with in at least one of the following ways:

§ It may be appropriate that no action be taken where the potential for conflict is minimal. However, Councillors should consider providing an explanation of why they consider a conflict does not exist.

§ Limit involvement if practical (eg. Participate in discussion but not in decision making or vice-versa). Care needs to be taken when exercising this option.

§ Remove the source of the conflict (eg. Relinquishing or divesting the personal interest that creates the conflict)

§ Have no involvement by absenting yourself from and not taking part in any debate or voting on the issue as of the provisions in the Code of Conduct (particularly if you have a significant non-pecuniary interest)

RECORDING OF VOTING ON PLANNING MATTERS

Clause 375A of the Local Government Act 1993 – Recording of voting on planning matters

(1) In this section, planning decision means a decision made in the exercise of a function of a council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979:

(a) including a decision relating to a development application, an environmental planning instrument, a development control plan or a development contribution plan under that Act, but

(b) not including the making of an order under that Act.

(2) The general manager is required to keep a register containing, for each planning decision made at a meeting of the council or a council committee, the names of the councillors who supported the decision and the names of any councillors who opposed (or are taken to have opposed) the decision.

(3) For the purpose of maintaining the register, a division is required to be called whenever a motion for a planning decision is put at a meeting of the council or a council committee.

(4) Each decision recorded in the register is to be described in the register or identified in a manner that enables the description to be obtained from another publicly available document, and is to include the information required by the regulations.

(5) This section extends to a meeting that is closed to the public.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.1

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.1 Bow Wow! Look at me now! Event Results

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Rachael Lee, Project Officer

File No: I2020/28

Summary:

Last October, Council held the successful Bow Wow! Look at me now! training and treats event for dog owners. The event results are outlined in this report, including a brief assessment of dog owner behaviour change since the event with regard to reducing dog-wildlife/koala interactions.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note this report and that a bid for $4,000 is included in the 2020/2021 budget to reduce dog-wildlife/koala interactions, which will be used to participate in the existing Federal community dog show.

Attachments:

1 BOWWOW_Event Results, E2019/92583 , page 7⇩

REPORT

Background

Bow Wow! Look at me now! was held as a test event on 26 October 2019 to engage with dog owners, to educate and improve dog behaviours in the community, in a positive rather than regulatory way. A particular focus was interactive training demonstrations to teach dog owners a wildlife avoidance technique to help reduce dog-wildlife/koala interactions.

As part of the Iconic Koala project and the Ridge to River - Mooibal Spur Corridor Restoration project (Brunswick Valley Landcare), a budget of $2,000 was funded via an acquitted grant for similar events.

Free services and giveaways were negotiated from participating organisations including free vet checks, microchipping, nail clipping, dog washing and a sausage sizzle held by the Animal Welfare League while free ticket bookings were incentivised via a doggie gift bag offer. Collectively, all added value products and services offered amounted to over $10,000. With a specially developed brand identity and 2.5 weeks of promotion, the event attracted 100 dog owners from across the shire, a prime-time TV news story and very positive feedback.

Key reasons given by dog owners for their attendance were dog training, local event, freebies and dog socialisation. All who responded to a follow-up survey said they would like to see the event held again and 47% indicated they would be willing to pay a small entry fee.

Importantly, 94% of attendees surveyed would recommend the dog training tips to others and 59% increased their vigilance for wildlife while dog walking or undertook some dog training after the event, or both. It is subsequently estimated that at least half of the dog owner attendees made positive behavioural changes to dog management, thereby providing a strong foundation to build upon via future events.

As a test event, at least seventeen observations and learnings were identified in consideration of refining and improving the event.

See attachment 1.

Next steps

Council staff to investigate suitable sites for a similar style of event.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	L2	CSP Strategy	L3	DP Action	L4	OP Activity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.8	Implement the Koala Plan of Management

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations – Not optional headings

Not applicable.

Financial Considerations

A budget bid for $4,000 is included in the 2020/2021 budget to reduce dog-wildlife/koala interactions, which will be used to participate in the existing Federal community dog show.

Consultation and Engagement

Internal council stakeholders from Animal Enforcement and Education, Sustainability, Events, Communications, Insurance and Legal were consulted and contributed to the event development.

The value of Bow Wow! Look at me now! is to be communicated to councillors, internal council stakeholders (above) and the broader community (specifically dog owners and businesses) via the ET meeting, Councillor Weekly Bulletin and council website.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.1 - Attachment 1

Bow Wow! Look at me now! Event Results
Saturday 26 October 2019, 8.30-12 midday, Mullumbimby Showground

This short-form overview outlines key results and learnings for the inaugural Bow Wow! Look at me now! pilot event in consideration of any likely repetition of the event in the future.

Bow Wow! Look at me now! was deemed a success with 100 people attending; prime-time TV news coverage gained; and very positive feedback from attendees and participants.

Given council doesn’t normally run such events, this was the first of its kind conducted as test pilot with a three month development timeline and budget of $2,000. The event was organised quickly with limited resource and intensive efforts involving over 20 groups.

§ Council - Communications, animal compliance, events, corporate services, management, project support, sustainability and biodiversity teams.

§ Contributors - Brunswick Valley Landcare, Friends of the Koala, Mullumbimby Vet Clinic, Woolworths, Byron Bay Happy Hounds, Paws Pet First Aid, Byron Bay Pet Foods, Friendly Dog Collars and Embark.

§ Suppliers - Mullumbimby Showground, Dogly dog training, Animal Welfare League North Coast NSW, Mullum Hire, Byron Audio and Byron Shire News.

1. Event Promotion

Event pre-promotion commenced 2.5 weeks prior involving an Eventbrite page, media release, digital media, editorial mentions, press ad, flyers and posters.

§ Owned media - Flyer in Byron Shire Council e.news, dedicated webpage, eventbrite page, council intranet, two council facebook posts (1, 2) and event notice.

§ Earned media - Event mention in three local papers, half a dozen shared facebook posts by participants, community announcements on Bay FM and other online mentions.

§ Paid media - small, colour display ad in Byron Shire News (early general news)

§ 380 flyers - 180 flyers blanket letterbox dropped to homes in Tallowood Ridge Estate (not exclusively to dog owners) and 200 flyers distributed around Mullumbimby.

§ 20 posters - distributed across Tallowood Ridge Estate, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby Showground.

Post event coverage included a positive, 75 sec story in the first 12 minutes of NBN prime-time TV news (reaching a broader regional audience of 70,000) with 72 likes for the story video on nbnnews.com.au - which appears to be substantial.

2. Attendee Feedback

The number of tickets booked was 119 with 100 attendees on the day representing a final turnout rate of approximately 84% with no-shows and no-bookings incorporated.

Attendee entry questions

When registering on the way in attendees were asked what their ‘main reason for attending’ was and those from Mullumbimby were asked specifically ‘where?’ in Mullumbimby with:

§ 7% of attendees from Tallowwood Ridge Estate (excluding Mullumbimby Creek).

§ ‘Dog socialisation’ a key reason for attendance in addition to training, local event and freebies.

Attendee exit interviews

Twenty-three attendees were asked three questions when leaving to find:

§ 87% learned something new

§ 70% were keen to try teaching their dogs some of the skills demonstrated

§ 91% would tell people about the skills demonstrated

Email survey results

A follow-up email survey comprising nine questions was sent to attendees six weeks after the event with 17 out of 64 recipients (27%) responding to the online survey as follows:

1. 100% rated the event as either good (18%), very good (41%) or excellent (41%). None rated it as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’.

2. Respondents liked - Vet, trainer, grooming, talks, variety, dog socialisation, freebies, friendly, relaxed, concept, efficiency.

3. Respondents disliked - Nothing (59%), rush at the start, more activities for dog and owner, not enough people attending, signage lacking, bad phone reception, extra gift bags and sausage sizzles for those who didn’t book (comment from one attendee).

4. 100% rated the event as extremely organised (18%), well organised (47%) or somewhat organised (35%). None rated it as ‘not so organised’ or ‘not at all organised’.

5. 17 survey respondents mentioned the event to 74 people. Given 100 attendees, this may indicate that a positive endorsement of the event and training reached up to 400 people.

6. 100% would like to see Bow Wow! Look at me now! held again.

7. 47% indicated they are willing to pay a small fee to attend.

8. 94% indicated they would recommend the training tips to others.

9. 59% changed their behaviour by either increasing their vigilance for wildlife while dog walking, or undertaking some dog training after the event, or both.

Subsequently, it may be fair to suggest that at least half of the dog owners who attended Bow Wow! Look at me now! made a positive ‘dog ownership behaviour change’ as a result of attending the event.

Refer Appendix for all survey verbatims and E2019/92441 for questionnaire and results.

3. Cost & Added-value

§ The event budget was initially $6,000 but reduced to $2,000 during early development.

§ The direct cost of the event was $1,951 ($19.50 per head).

§ The internal cost for the key event organiser was $11,300 including own time contributed mainly to scouting venues, developing event branding and communications, sourcing and documenting dog trainers, media follow-up, securing a dog groomer and giveaways.

§ The direct value generated was $12,500 via free goods and services sourced and post-event media coverage.

§ Other internal costs and net social benefits for example, are not valued/included here.

If repeated with basically the same branding, format, venue and participants etc. it is estimated that event development and organisation costs would be approximately halved.

4. Observations & Learnings

As a low-budget pilot event, rapidly and responsively developed to test effectiveness and outcomes, the observations and learnings are identified as follows.

1. Date and location - Meeting all stakeholder needs and avoiding event clashes was difficult, especially given the time of year and final venue. Earlier scheduling may assist.

2. Securing a dog trainer - Proved a difficult and time consuming process with one trainer ultimately available, affordable and suitable of the eleven investigated and contacted.

3. Internal organisation - Involve council corporate services and events earlier. Conduct a formal briefing at commencement for all relevant internal departments to scope the event. Promapp the process of applying for and organising events for future reference.

4. Plastic free - Attempting to make the event single-use, plastic-free required extra time, money and effort, so this needs to be addressed early.

5. Rubbish and recycling - Organic, recycling and landfill bins provided by the venue need to be checked beforehand to ensure bin usage is consistent with labelling.

6. Contributors - Woolworths is a polarising contributor requiring low profile involvement.

7. Risk Management - Sustainability aspects and potentially controversial partnerships need incorporating into a dedicated risk management template for events.

8. Insurance - Council’s $20 million public liability insurance requirement proved excessive for most small business participants and required rapid, individual approvals. The limit needs to be lowered to $5 -10 million for events with small businesses.

9. Improve locational signage - The A3 posters used at the venue carpark entries and elsewhere (5-6 total) would make the Cattle Ring easier to find if they were more numerous and included a map.

10. Amend set-up - On-ground set-up from 7am onwards with 4 people, and 8 am onwards for stall holders and their equipment for an 8.30 am start was rushed and confounded by the lateness of a participant and hire company. More time and structure needed.

11. Free services demand - With 100 attendees over 3.5 hours it was very busy and just manageable at peak times (9 am, 10am) for dog grooming and vet checks. Increased attendees would require more service slots and providers. Consider offering individual training sessions and dedicated classes at specific times for beginners, intermediate etc.

12. Dog agility course - Proved impossible to source and secure. Considering additional public health and safety aspects etc., this would need full investigation very early.

13. Include a show-stopper - Paws Pet First Aid was a stand-out presentation for something different and interesting that many attendees pointed to as a ‘new learning’.

14. On-leash messaging - Successful with 100% compliance in a normally off-leash area, and dogs were well behaved with no dog altercations.

15. Koala messaging - Embedded messaging marginally too subtle. Use of a taxidermied koala for training sessions was considered, but not pursued. Consider using in future.

16. Behaviour change - Numerous dog owners keenly volunteered their dogs for on-stage training, but results indicate the wild-life avoidance technique needed embedding more strongly. Offering free, individual training sessions at the event would assist.

17. On-leash nature walk - a unique aspect that effectively imparted conservation values to the target audience of dog owners. Actually practicing the wildlife-avoidance, dog control technique on the walk would elevate, integrate and embed the behaviour more strongly, along with the concept of ‘co-existence’ - a key message for koala conservation.

5. Appendix: Online survey verbatims for open-ended questions

Q2: What did you like about the event?

Verbatims (17):

1. A great day for people and their pets.

2. A lot of thought had gone into it. The dog trainer and the vet.

3. Variety of events

4. All the talks and meeting other dogs.

5. The advise and demonstration

6. Dog first aid demo. Free micro chip available.

7. Meeting other dog owners (x 2)

8. That it happened! ;)

9. Demonstrations, vet consultation, walk in the park, goodie bags, sausage sizzle, casual and friendly.

10. Lots of relevant information, events and gifts.

11. Presents of Vets at the event

12. It was good to see dog owners showing up and interested in what was going on.

13. Informative speakers and free dog grooming

14. the whole concept

15. Efficient

16. A specific dog event was great. Good to have the chance to speak with vet, get some free treatments and meet with other community dog owners. The dog behavior and health talks were also good

Q3: What did you dislike about the event?

Verbatims (17):

1. “Nothing” x 10 responses

2. Nothing, it was great for my 9 year old as a first time dog owner.

3. Wld have been fun if there was more fun involving activities for did and owner

4. Bit rushed with so many people

5. Needed more activities

6. I was sad there were not more people attending as I thought the event was fabulous

7. Poor signage

8. Need more reception on phone, phone takes long to get

9. I hadn’t pre-registered and I hadn’t seen in the advertising this was required , so my children did t get the free sausage sizzle or a free information bag. I would have thought BSC could afford to provide some extra free snags and show bags as part of event planning for extra people who come to an event.

10. Talking with others we were unsure of where to park or where the event was. The start time looked to be the same time as when parts arrived.

Q9: Yes, other (action inspired by event)

1. I would like to ask council to provide a FENCED dog exercise area

2. Took dog to the vet and will be getting a fat lump on his neck removed.

3. If you charged for the event I would not see the value in what was offered. Dogs also get a bit freaked in large numbers

Refer: E2019/92441 for copy of full survey questionnaire and results

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Report No. 4.2 Brunswick Valley Landcare Support Officer report December 2019

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Kimberley Rogers, Environment Support Officer

File No: I2020/38

Summary:

This report tables the activities of the Landcare Support Officer from 1 October to 13 December 2019.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note the report.

Attachments:

1 Landcare Support Officer report December 2019, E2020/2325 , page 15 ⇩

REPORT

Council has allocated funding in the 2019/20 budget to continue to support the Brunswick Valley Landcare, Landcare Support Officer position for 1 day per week to deliver the Land for Wildlife Program and respond to customer enquiries.

Attached is the quarterly report from the Landcare Support Officer for the Committees reference.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

Objective 3	We protect and enhance our natural environment
Strategy 3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology
Action 3.1.2	Restore degraded areas and habitats that have or provide significant or high environmental and or community value
Activity: 3.1.2.3	Train and mentor community Landcare and Dunecare groups

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Nil

Financial Considerations

Funding allocated in 2019/20 budget.

Consultation and Engagement

Not applicable

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.3

Report No. 4.3 Minutes of previous meeting held 11 November 2019

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Kimberley Rogers, Environment Support Officer

File No: I2020/40

Theme: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Planning Policy and Natural Environment

Summary:

The minutes of the previous Biodiversity Advisory Committee meeting held on 11 November 2019 and referred to at Item 3 of this meeting’s agenda, are attached.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note the minutes of the 11 November 2019 meeting.

Attachments:

1 Minutes 11/11/2019 Biodiversity Advisory Committee, I2019/1842 , page 19 ⇩

Report

The minutes of the previous Biodiversity Advisory Committee meeting held on 11 November 2019 are attached and available at: https://byron.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/11/BAC_11112019_MIN_1025.PDF

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	L2		CSP Strategy	L3	DP Action
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment		3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment		3.2	Strive to become a sustainable community	3.2.2	Support community environmental and sustainability projects

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Nil

Financial Considerations

Nil

Consultation and Engagement

Not applicable

Minutes of the Biodiversity Advisory Committee Meeting held on Monday, 11 November 2019

File No: Error! Unknown document property name.

PRESENT: Cr C Coorey, Cr J Martin, Cr S Ndiaye (from 3.30pm)

Staff: Chloe Dowsett (Coastal and Biodiversity Coordinator)

Liz Caddick (Biodiversity Officer)

Karen Love

Phil Warner

Kim Rogers (Minute Taker)

Community: Peter Westheimer

Luke McConell

Invited Guest: David Milledge

Cr Coorey (Chair) opened the meeting at 3.22pm and acknowledged that the meeting was being held on Bundjalung Country.

Apologies:

Shannon Burt, Sharyn French, Greg Shanahan and Margaret Greenaway

Declarations of Interest – Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary

There were no declarations of interest.

Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

Committee Recommendation:

That the minutes of the Biodiversity Advisory Committee Meeting held on 11 February and 17 June 2019 be confirmed.

(Coorey/Westheimer)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Note: The minutes of the meeting held on 17June where there was no quorum, were noted The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February were confirmed with the Committee Recommendations adopted by Council, at the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 March 2019, resulting in Resolutions 19-115 to 19-119.

Business Arising from Previous Minutes

There was no business arising from previous minutes.

Procedural Motion

Committee Recommendation:

That Council change the order of business to deal with Report 4.5 next on the Agenda.

(Coorey/Westheimer)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Staff Reports - Infrastructure Services

Report No. 4.5 Byron Bay Bypass - Environmental Compensation Options over and above project requirements

File No: I2019/1488

Committee Recommendation:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee recommends:

1. That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee wait until direction is received from Commonwealth Government regarding compensation required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and reconsider at the next meeting.

2. That staff investigate resources required for a Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail expert to identify alternative suitable habitat sites in the Shire for compensatory restoration (preferably on Council managed land).

3. Undertake a community awareness campaign in the vicinity of the Byron Bay Bypass and around the coastal plain, to help identify existing Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail habitat areas and promote conservation of this species on private land.

(Ndiaye/Coorey)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.1 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

File No: I2019/1734

Committee Recommendation:

1. That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee members provide preliminary feedback on the draft Strategy by 22 November 2019.

2. That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee review the draft Biodiversity Strategy following expert peer review prior to the strategy going to Council for public exhibition.

(Coorey/Westheimer)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Report No. 4.2 Wildlife Road Strike

File No: I2019/1757

Committee Recommendation:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes this report.

(Coorey/Westheimer)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Report No. 4.3 Brunswick Valley Landcare Support Officer report September 2019

File No: I2019/1817

Committee Recommendation:

1. That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note the report.

2. That Council staff investigate and update the Committee about approvals and resources required to remove taro infestation from Saltwater Creek, and follow up with Tamara Smith’s office regarding funding.

(Coorey/Ndiaye)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

Report No. 4.4 Minutes of previous meetings held 11 February 2019 & 17 June 2019

File No: I2019/1825

Committee Recommendation:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note the minutes of 11 February and 17 June 2019 meetings.

(Coorey/Westheimer)

The recommendation was put to the vote and declared carried.

There being no further business the meeting concluded at 5.05pm.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.4

Report No. 4.4 Biodiversity Projects and Operations Update

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiverity Officer

File No: I2020/75

Summary:

This report provides the Biodiversity Advisory Committee with an update on current projects and programmes being undertaken by the Biodiversity team, including:

· Flying-fox Management Plan

· Pest Animal Management Plan

· Indian Mynas

· Feral Deer

· Fisheries Habitat Action Grant

· Fisheries Flagship Habitat Grants

· Combating Pests and Weeds Grant

· Byron Habitat Corridors Project

· North East Hinterland Koala Conservation Project

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes the update on current projects and programmes being undertaken by the Biodiversity team.

REPORT

Flying-fox Management Plan

November census indicated numbers were down (refer table and graph below). The likely reason is from the mass starvation event experienced along the East coast from Newcastle to Rockhampton. Drought related timing and quality of flowers and fruit as well as lack of standing water are believed to have contributed to the poor health and deaths of thousands of Grey Headed and Black Flying-foxes. The consequences of the bushfires with regard to depleted food supply are yet to be determined. Next flying fox count is Feb 13-14 2020.

	Nov 2018	Nov 2019	% Change from previous year
Mullumbimby	2654	1623	-39%
Butler St	0	0	0
Middleton St	521	317	-39%
Beech	187	411	+45%
Paddy’s Ck	1776	891	-50%

Revegetation of the Buffer strip and western planting zone at Paddy’s Creek Flying Fox Camp was postponed due to drought conditions. Planting is planned to commence in March with anticipated favourable weather.

Flying Improvement Grant Year 1 progress report was submitted in Nov 2019. This report should trigger funds for 2020 which will finance weed control and bush regeneration of the Beech Flying-fox camp at Suffolk Pk.

Flying-fox Project Reference Group meetings continue with good discussion of local information. The group has supported the proposed rehabilitation of Suffolk Park Beech camp for 2020 and ongoing information dissemination.

Pest Animal Management Plan

Wild Dogs, Cats and Foxes

JR Trapping has the contract to trap wild dogs, cats and foxes on Byron Shire land. JR Trapping is contracted for 9 trapping weeks over the year and will trap on demand following camera monitoring and feedback from BSC Sewage Treatment Plants. Best trapping opportunities are in March, April, May and the trapper will concentrate his efforts over these months.

Indian Mynas

Indian Myna pilot trapping program to start Feb-Mar 2020. The pilot project is to be carried out at Mullumbimby and if successful will be rolled out to other towns and areas in the Shire. Mullumbimby Men’s Shed are keen to make the traps. Traps will be sold to the community rather than lent as it is anticipated people will value use them more if they have paid for them. Cost anticipated about $25/cage.

A part time contractor will be engaged to manage the project. The contractor will manage the sale of cages through the Men’s Shed and provide support and advice to the community on animal welfare and trapping techniques.

A Vet in Mullumbimby has committed to assist the community with euthanizing the Mynas.

Feral Deer

BSC is participating in a Deer awareness campaign led by Tweed Landcare Inc. with other Council members of the NRJO along with North Coast Local Landcare Services.

Deer are known to exist in the southern Gold Coast, northern tablelands and in the Port Macquarie area and are a threat to threatened species (browsing on threatened plants), biodiversity, animal health (spread ticks and disease) and traffic.

‘Bad Neighbour’ – Have you seen deer around here? Awareness campaign has postcards and a poster to use with a contact number. The idea is to help inform the community that deer are not good to have around and who to report any sightings to.

Draft Northern Rivers Deer Control Plan is in development.

Fisheries Habitat Action Grant (2019)

An application was lodged in November for $40k to rehabilitate the vegetation of 1.8km of upper estuary riverbank in the Brunswick River in Mullumbimby downstream from the Showgrounds. It aims to improve riparian and instream habitats by improving the condition of vegetation and stabilising riverbanks. This project is on Council land and joins Landcare projects upstream and other Council projects downstream. Total project value with on-going maintenance from Council is $201,724. Outcome should be announced early 2020.

Fisheries Flagship Habitat Grants (2020)

An application is in development for funds under the Fisheries Flagship Habitat Grants, for a 3-part project with multiple partners and community involvement. The application is expected to be to the value of approximately $200k and must be spent in 12 months. The project would include:

1. Scoping study to ascertain the amount and distribution of gravel and fill in the Brunswick River from Upper Main Arm, downstream to Palmwoods Bridge. The road crosses the river 12 times in this reach. Anecdotal evidence is that when the river floods, it is easier for the flow to run along the road than in the river channel. Over the years, the road and verges have scoured to great depths and length. These scour hole have been filled each time but the material that enters the river as a result has not been removed. Inefficient causeways slow the flow of water which causes settlement of the bedload. This has filled many deep holes and reduced the habitat value of the upper Brunswick River. The study is planned to reveal the volume of fill in the river and the actual river channel form prior to the sediment input. Future projects can then remove the gravel to re-create the natural channel to improve the habitat value of the Upper Brunswick River.

2. An audit of gravel roads and driveways contributing to sediment input into the Upper Brunswick River from Upper Main Arm, downstream to Palmwoods Bridge. Following the audit, Council may seek funding to assist Council and landholders to stabilise dirt roads and driveways to minimise poor quality sediment laden runoff flowing into the Upper Brunswick River. This will compliment and help protect any future habitat improvement projects.

3. Riverbank re-construction and rehabilitation project. A major site on private land in the upper estuary and other conjoined sites in the Upper Brunswick River have been identified for bank stabilisation works and riparian rehabilitation.

Combating Pests and Weeds Grant (Commonwealth) 2020

An application is in development for approximately $250k for a 3-part project to be spent over 18 months. The objectives are to assist drought-affected farmers in the Shire with weed and pest control, to improve productivity, NRM and help trigger the local economy by supporting local employment and local retail. The project would include:

1. Fund a contract trapper to work on private lands to control wild dogs, cats and foxes.

2. Fund contract agricultural weed controllers to assist farmers control pasture weeds, weeds of significance and environmental weeds.

3. Engage a Council Farming Extension Officer to manage the weeds and pest components of the project as well as assist local farmers 1:1 to improve their farm productivity using best practice farming methods and systems.

Byron Habitat Corridors Project

This Environment Trust funded project is in its final year. Project funding of $17,025 is being used for ongoing maintenance of revegetation sites at Mullumbimby, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Myocum and Skinners Shoot. The recent drought has slowed work down, but restoration teams will be back on the ground at all sites in early February.

North East Hinterland Koala Conservation Project

This DPIE funded project is a partnership between Tweed, Byron, Lismore and Ballina Councils and Friends of the Koala. Byron Shire Council has a budget of $45,000 over three years for koala habitat planting and restoration on private land. Council is in the process of identifying suitable sites based on landholder interest and koala habitat and occurrence data from DPIE Koala Habitat Information Base, and recent University of Queensland research conducted as part of the ARC Koala Linkage project. The NE Hinterland Koala Conservation Project Officer is working out of the Tweed Shire Council office, and will be using the University of Queensland data to identify suitable sites to negotiate permanent landholder conservation agreements for koala conservation in the Northern Rivers region.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	L2	CSP Strategy	L3	DP Action	L4	OP Activity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.3	Implement priority actions from the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.6	Implement the Flying Fox Camp Management Plan
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.7	Continue to undertake the Flying Fox National Census
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.8	Implement the Koala Plan of Management
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.9	Implement the Pest Animal Management Plan
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.2	Restore degraded areas and habitats that have or provide significant or high environmental and or community value	3.1.2.2	Respond to biosecurity threats in a timely and efficient manner
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.2	Restore degraded areas and habitats that have or provide significant or high environmental and or community value	3.1.2.4	Identify new high profile sites for restoration works
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.3	Partner to protect and enhance the health of the Shire’s coastlines, estuaries, waterways and catchments	3.3.1	Implement Coastal Management Program	3.3.1.3	Investigate Brunswick River Project

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

Budgets for specific projects noted above.

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.5

Report No. 4.5 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiverity Officer

File No: I2020/76

Summary:

Council’s draft Biodiversity Strategy has been reviewed by 8 key local industry professionals, with expertise in flora, fauna, ecological restoration and town planning. These comments have been incorporated into the draft, and staff propose to take the strategy to the Council Planning meeting on 19 March and request that Council resolve to put the strategy on public display.

A copy of the draft Strategy (Confidential) will be emailed to Committee members and available on the Councillors hub.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note that the draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy will be reported to Council in March recommending it be placed on public exhibition in April-May 2020.

REPORT

Council’s draft Biodiversity Strategy has been reviewed by eight key local industry professionals, with expertise in flora, fauna, ecological restoration and town planning. Additionally, feedback has been provided by four members of the Biodiversity Advisory Committee. These comments have been incorporated into the draft, and staff propose to take the Strategy to the Council Planning meeting on 19 March and request that Council resolve to put the strategy on public display.

The revised draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is yet to be formatted and graphic design is currently in progress. An example of the proposed layout will be presented to Biodiversity Advisory Committee members at the meeting.

Key issues

Key issues raised by peer reviewers summarised below.

Issue	Outcome
Length of Strategy – generally considered too long.	Strategy length reduced. Some information removed to appendices. Strategy is still quite long, but the community is interested in this information.
Need for greater focus on rainforest vegetation/species, and threats to this. Over-emphasis on fire and dry forest ecosystems.	Additional section on rainforest ecosystems to be added, drafted by David Milledge,
Over-emphasis on Koalas	Additional information has been added on other species (rainforest biota (David Milledge), birds (Byron Bird Buddies). Images of a diversity of plant and animal species will also be added. Koalas are a strong focus of BSCs biodiversity projects, partly due to funding availability (because they are iconic and charismatic), but also because they are an important umbrella species for our wet and dry sclerophyll forests and, in protecting their habitat we are protecting habitat of other threatened species.
The Strategy is an opportunity for community education and needs to include, at the front, simple steps people can take to help protect biodiversity and reduce their carbon footprint.	How you can help section included at front of strategy.
Monitoring and review needs to include some biodiversity benchmarks, e.g. status of threatened taxa, status of weeds. A scientifically based monitoring program to measure biodiversity gains/losses over time (and thus effectiveness of the strategy), would be beneficial.	Actions updated to give greater focus for monitoring and benchmarking. This will require resourcing, but there may also be opportunities to connect with existing citizen science data collectors for monitoring some species, e.g. Byron Bird Buddies.
Some errors in facts and figures and references identified	Errors amended
Could ‘expert advice’ be added to vision, e.g. Biodiversity in Byron Shire is valued, protected and enhanced, through inspiring leadership, community engagement, urgent action, expert advice and innovation.	Councillors voted on the vision so would have to put this back to Council. BAC input welcomed.
Too human-centric – strategy needs more focus on biodiversity.	Section on community/economy has been edited, and biodiversity information moved to the front of the strategy. However some information on our community and economy is important for context.
Lack of species lists, maps.	These data not included because they are likely to change over length of the strategy. Actions are included to review vegetation maps and species lists for Byron Shire and make these available on line.
Funding section – should be renamed Resourcing and include opportunities other than Council funding and grants.	Renamed, with sections added on community resources and opportunities for biodiversity conservation through DA process.

Next steps

· Graphic design and final editing is in progress, due for completion 21 Feb 2020.

· Draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy presented to Council Planning meeting 19 March.

· Public exhibition of draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy: 23 March to 15 May. 8-week time frame considered appropriate since the exhibition period will run over the Easter school holidays.

· Following review of public submissions, it is hoped to take the final draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy to the 18 June Council Planning meeting.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	L2	CSP Strategy	L3	DP Action	L4	OP Activity
Community Objective 3: We protect and enhance our natural environment	3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology	3.1.1	Protect and enhance our natural environment and biodiversity	3.1.1.1	Continue to undertake the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy review

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Legislation relevant to the BCS that has been recently changed or is in the progress of being amended includes:

· State Environmental Planning Policy 44 (SEPP 44) for Koala Habitat Protection. This has recently been replaced by SEPP 44 – Koala Habitat Protection, due to come into effect in March 2020. Staff are in the process of reviewing the new SEPP and it’s implications for Council’s Coastal Koala Plan of Management and koala conservation activities generally. At the time of preparation of this report, new SEPP guidelines and methodology were unavailable. Further information will be reported to the BAC as it becomes available, and an update provided to Council in March. The draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy will also be updated once further information on the new SEPP is available.

· Biodiversity Conservation Act (2016): Act commenced on 25 August 2017, however Plant Community Types (PCTs) are still under review. Current advice is that these will be available 30 June 2020.

Financial Considerations

Existing budget is available in FY2019/20 to finalise development of the revised BCS.

Consultation and Engagement

The report, above, summarises peer review and Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BAC) engagement. For further detail on consultation undertaken as part of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy review, refer to 11 November 2019 BAC report on this subject.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.6

Report No. 4.6 Urgent Bird Protection from Dogs at Tallow Creek (Res 19-602) - update to the committee

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Chloe Dowsett, Coastal and Biodiversity Coordinatior

File No: I2020/99

Summary:

On 28 November 2019, a Notice of Motion (NoM) was made for ‘Urgent bird protection from dogs at Tallow Creek’. The NoM was based on a recent bird survey at Tallow Creek carried out by Byron Bird Buddies where 73 bird species were counted at the Old South Byron STP site, adjacent Tallow Creek. On the survey day several dogs were noticed in the location not on leads, and one roaming on its own with no lead and no collar.

Based on this NoM, the below resolution (Res 19-602) was made at the 12 December 2019 meeting to urgently implement measures in bird breeding areas around the Tallow and Belongil Creeks Estuaries:

1. That Council moves to urgently enact stricter dog compliance measures in bird breeding and hatching areas around the Tallow and Belongil Estuaries by committing increased ranger patrols and enforcing compliance and fines against off-leash breaches;

2. That Council confines dogs and their walkers to the sealed path that starts at Broken Head Road;

3. That Council notify Ingenia Caravan Park that access through the South Byron former STP is prohibited and those entering this area will be considered to be trespassing

4. That Council request a meeting with Caravan Park to decide the best alternative beach access route from their site and consults with NPWS and Byron Bird Buddies and any other stakeholders to develop a communication and education program

5. That a report be prepared for the February Ordinary Meeting on points 1-4 and providing costings and design of fencing on its land that will enable the beach access to be prevented.

6. That Council publicise these changes via traditional and social media. (Coorey/Hackett)

A report for Council is presently being prepared for the February 2020 Council meeting.

Staff will provide an update to the committee members on the actioning of Res 19-602 and the proposed approach for managing dogs within this area. Comments and feedback about the proposed approach are welcomed.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee note the proposed approach for actioning of Res 19-602 which calls for urgent management of dogs at Tallow Creek.

REPORT

Council staff will provide an update to the committee members on the actioning of Res 19-602 and the proposed approach for managing dogs in this area.

Comments and feedback about the proposed approach are welcomed.

A Council report on Res 19-602 is currently being prepared for the February 2020 meeting.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

Objective 3	We protect and enhance our natural environment
Strategy 3.1	Partner to protect and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems and ecology

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Nil

Financial Considerations

Nil

Consultation and Engagement

Not applicable

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Monday, 10 February 2020
Time	3.15pm

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Monday, 11 November 2019
Time	3.15pm