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)

Committee members are reminded that they should declare and manage all conflicts of interest in respect of any matter on this Agenda, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

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.

OATH AND AFFIRMATION FOR COUNCILLORS

Councillors are reminded of the oath of office or affirmation of office made at or before their first meeting of the council in accordance with Clause 233A of the Local Government Act 1993. This includes undertaking the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Byron Shire and the Byron Shire Council and faithfully and impartially carrying out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested under the Act or any other Act to the best of one’s ability and judgment.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.1

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.1 Identifying Open Forest Ecosystems for Ecological Restoration

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2023/386

Summary:

This project, funded by a $11,000 grant from NSW DPE Biodiversity Conservation Division, has mapped open forest ecosystems in Byron Shire that would benefit from the reintroduction of ecological fire management, using GIS, expert elicitation and ground truthing.

The map will assist Council and Landcare Groups to identify future priority ecological restoration sites. It will also support the current Good Fire project (funded by InGrained foundation), which aims to build capacity for community to carry out eco-cultural burns in open forest types.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes this report and Attachment 1 (E2023/26821)

2. That Open Ecosystem Restoration Potential mapping is added to Council’s online mapping tool.

Attachments:

1 Open Ecosystem Restoration Priorities - Final Report - 25/08/2023, E2023/88318 , page 21 ⇩

Report

Council’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy identifies the restoration of historical fire regimes as a key strategy for biodiversity conservation:

Action 4.4 Identify priority open forest ecosystems requiring restoration through the reintroduction of fire

Our high species diversity in Byron Shire reflects the historic high habitat diversity in the shire. The high diversity of landforms, soils and geology has, over time, created a diverse patchwork of different ecosystems, all of which are critical in maintaining this species diversity.

Many of Byron Shire’s threatened fauna and flora rely on open-ecosystem habitats that are maintained by regular fire, including sclerophyll forests, heathlands and swamp forests. Today however, 95% of open-ecosystem habitat have now been fire-excluded for at least 50 years, leading to irreversible habitat decline and localised species extinctions.

In 2022, Council received a grant of $11,000 from NSW DPE Biodiversity Conservation Division, to map the open forest ecosystems in Byron Shire that would benefit from the reintroduction of ecological fire management.

The report and maps (Attachment 1) were developed using a combination of GIS mapping & modelling, expert input via workshop, and rapid ground-truthing of key areas. Prioritisation used a conservation triage approach, prioritising areas in good condition and requiring minimal intervention over highly degraded areas requiring complex interventions.

The Restoration Potential maps presented in the report were developed using a combination of a) GIS mapping & modelling, b) expert input via workshop, and c) rapid ground-truthing of key areas. The maps developed show the potential for restoration using eco-cultural burning, from very high to low, in open forest ecosystems on Council and private land, based on vegetation (current & historical), soil type, exposure and recent fire (fire interval status).

This mapping will help Council plan, prioritise and seek funding for multi-property fire-restoration projects across private and Council-managed land throughout Byron Shire.

Key issues

Refer to Attachment 1 for more detail and maps.

· Around 50% of the plant and animal species in Byron Shire rely on open ecosystems for resources that are not provided by closed ecosystems, including tree hollows for arboreal mammals, parrots and forest owls, winter food supplies for flying foxes and nectivorous birds and habitat for shade-intolerant grasses, ferns and shrubs.

· Open forests on Byron Shire’s flood plains have been disproportionately over-cleared for agriculture and are underrepresented in reserves.

· Open forest ecosystems are vulnerable to collapse in the absence of fire.

· Since European invasion, traditional burning has been extinguished from most open ecosystems in Byron Shire and the majority of these ecosystems are now overdue for fire to restore ecosystem health.

· As well as impacting survival of threatened species and ecological communities, fire exclusion encourages establishment of transformer weeds, changes in soil chemistry and canopy dieback (e.g. Bell Miner Associated Dieback).

· Fire exclusion can reduce CO₂ sequestration and standing carbon stocks.

· Fire exclusion from open forest ecosystems may also increase the risk of high intensity bushfire, threatening life and property and fire-sensitive rainforest ecosystems.

· The mapping done for this project is not fire hazard mapping and should not be used to identify bushfire risk or direct hazard reduction burns. This mapping identifies where there is a risk of an ecological community becoming degraded or transitioning to a different vegetation type if it remains unburnt, and also shows the sites that are most likely to respond well to use of ecological fire as a restoration tool.

Next steps

The restoration of historical ecological fire regimes is a key strategy for the conservation of open-ecosystem biodiversity in Byron Shire. The Restoration Potential Maps developed for this project will help plan and prioritise individual and multi-property fire-restoration projects across private and Council-managed land throughout Byron Shire. The mapping and background information can also be used to support grant applications for multi-property fire restoration projects in the Shire.

Council has recently worked with Jagun Alliance, Brunswick Valley Landcare and Zero Emissions Byron to deliver the Good Fire project, funded by the InGrained foundation. The Good Fire Project developed a Template for the planning and implementation of multi-property fire-restoration projects in the Shire. The new mapping, together with the Good Fire Template, can be used to support and guide ecological burning projects and to seek funding support to implement ecological restoration burns, in partnership with traditional practitioners.

Staff are continuing to work with Jagun Alliance, Brunswick Valley Landcare and Zero Emissions Byron to identify next steps towards seeking funding support to implement planned burns in high priority locations.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.9	Seek funding to implement the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Coastal Koala Plan of Management and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.2: Environmental education and awareness - Coordinate and support environmental education to the community	3.2.2.1	Support Brunswick Valley Landcare to deliver the Land for Wildlife Program and biodiversity enquiries.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.4	Identify priority open forest ecosystems requiring restoration through the reintroduction of fire.

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

The priority restoration map was developed with input from six expert local ecologists and bush regenerators.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Report No. 4.2 Update on Work Carried Out by Byron Council's Bush Regeneration Team

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2023/1335

Summary:

Biodiversity Advisory Committee members recently requested further information from staff regarding management and monitoring occurring at various Council sites that contain threatened species habitat.

Further to the information provided to the committee at the 17 August Biodiversity Committee Advisory Meeting, Bush Regeneration team leader, Dave Filipczyk, will present an update on the current work carried out by Council’s Bush Regeneration team.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes the report and presentation on work carried out by Council’s bush regen team.

Attachments:

1 Report 17/08/2023 Biodiversity Advisory Committee Future Discussion Items for Biodiversity Advisory Committee, I2023/624 , page 76 ⇩

Report

Further to the information provided to the committee at the 17 August Biodiversity Committee Advisory Meeting (Attachment 1), Bush Regeneration team leader, Dave Filipczyk, will present an update on the current work carried out by Council’s Bush Regeneration team, in particular:

· Restoration work being carried out at Council wastewater treatment facilities.

· Restoration work at the Lilli Pilli biobanking site.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.6	Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program

Recent Resolutions

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.3

Report No. 4.3 Future Discussion Items for Biodiversity Advisory Committee

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2023/1336

Summary:

This report summarises reports and information requested by the Biodiversity Advisory Committee. These requests, resourcing and alignment with Council’s Operational Plan are tabled for discussion by the committee, to resolve whether these requests are taken to Council for consideration for inclusion in a future Council OP and budget.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes the report.

Attachments:

1 Biodiversity Advisory Committee - ECOHEALTH MONITORING PROGRAM Info Request - Leonard Cronin - Staff Response - 1/9/23, E2023/90997 , page 90 ⇩

Report

At the 17 August Biodiversity Advisory Committee meeting, the committee sought a follow up response to the following items that were discussed at the 20 April Biodiversity Advisory Committee meeting:

Information requested	Resourcing	Operational Plan & other Council Strategies
The health of our Shire’s biodiversity is significantly impacted by the condition of our waterways. The 2014 Ecohealth Report Card for the Richmond River gave the catchment a D+ rating (gradings A through F). Do we have recent ecohealth data for our waterways? Requested by: Leonard Cronin	Attachment 1 provides a summary of current known environmental and water quality monitoring occurring in Byron Shire. As per this report, there is currently no funding to implement an Ecohealth program in the Brunswick Estuary, as the 2018 CZMP was not certified by the Minister. Due to the enactment of the NSW Coastal Management Framework in 2018, Council is now required to prepare Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) for its coastline. Council is now required to prepare Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) for its coastline. Council will continue to support and implement (as required) the other water quality monitoring programs described in the attached report.	There is no activity in Council’s OP that directly resources this action. The following actions provide indirect support: OP 3.3.1.11 Participate in the preparation of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Richmond River OP 3.3.1.8 Identify and evaluate management options and opportunities for addressing threats to the Byron Shire coastal zone and prepare Costal Management Programs OP 3.3.1.3 Identify pollution sources and plan to improve water quality in Byron Shire's intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs) OP 3.2.2.2 Provide coastal and biodiversity information and encourage and support community activities and groups
What programs exist to improve the biodiversity of our waterways and riparian degradation? Requested by: Leonard Cronin	Council already delivers a range of riparian restoration projects through the Biodiversity and Agriculture Team and Restorations Team. Updates to the Committee on these projects are provided at each Committee meeting. The Key Issues section below lists current projects.	There are several OP actions that already support this aim: OP 3.1.3.4 Investigate grant opportunities for improving the Brunswick Estuary ecosystems and river health. OP 3.1.3.5 Deliver Federal Fish Habitat Restoration Project. OP 3.1.3.6 Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program. OP 3.2.2.1 Support Brunswick Valley Landcare to deliver the Land for Wildlife Program and biodiversity enquiries. OP 3.3.1.11 Participate in the preparation of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Richmond River.
Can we implement ways to deal with: Unfenced cattle damaging riverbanks and waterways and High levels of nutrients derived from agricultural runoff. Requested by: Leonard Cronin	Council already provides support to farmers on this through Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Program, which includes community engagement, workshops, mail outs and one on one farmer site visits. There are no laws that require farmers to fence off their creeks. Education and incentive funding have had the best results by teaching the landholders the benefit of riparian fencing/ rehabilitation and incentive funds assist them to fence off the waterways and water their stock. The Biodiversity/ Agriculture program supports and promotes Regenerative Agriculture which supports the retention of groundcover and the reduction of fertilizer and other chemical use. This greatly reduces soil and nutrient/chemical runoff into the waterways. Currently, 360 members of the Byron Farmer Network are interested in commencing or already practicing Regenerative Agriculture over a number of farming types, predominantly grazing and macadamias.	There are several OP actions that already support this aim: OP 4.3.5.1 Maintain and update Byron Shire Farmer database. OP 4.3.5.2 Provide extension services to farmers to support and promote sustainable agriculture. OP 4.3.5.3 Deliver farmer mentoring and farmer education activities.
Can we implement ways to deal with: Sewage discharge in flood events? Requested by: Leonard Cronin	As part of the development of Coastal Management Programs for Belongil and Tallow Creeks, a recent study identifies and prioritises water quality pollutant sources for each ICOLL and provides potential management options to address water quality threats. As part of the study a review of Council’s sewer overflow incident reporting from the last six years (2016 to 2022) was completed. Sewer overflow incidents represent a short-term but potentially high impact point source of pollutants to stormwater drains and downstream receiving environments. Interestingly, the Byron Bay STP had no major issues during the 2022 Flood event, however there was one incident noted with relevance to the Tallow Creek catchment. It is currently unknown whether sewer overflow incidents are contributing to poor stormwater quality. As such, a recommended management action in the study is to undertake microbial source tracking, which uses DNA analysis to identify sources of faecal contamination (i.e. human vs. dog vs. other animal sources). This would provide further information and assist in directing management action. Other actions recommended are to monitor and maintain sewage infrastructure. The study is being reported to Council on the 28 September for adoption and will be put on Council’s CMP webpage: Coastal Management Program Southern Coastline including Estuaries - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au). Council is also currently preparing an Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) and the issue of sewage system performance and overflow frequency is being addressed through that process. This project is being led by Infrastructure Services with updates provided to the Water and Sewer Committee.	There are several OP actions that already support this aim: OP 5.5.2.13 Review Strategic Business Plan / Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy OP 3.3.1.3 Identify pollution sources and plan to improve water quality in Byron Shire's intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs)

Information requested

Resourcing

Operational Plan & other Council Strategies

The health of our Shire’s biodiversity is significantly impacted by the condition of our waterways. The 2014 Ecohealth Report Card for the Richmond River gave the catchment a D+ rating (gradings A through F).

Do we have recent ecohealth data for our waterways?

Requested by: Leonard Cronin

Attachment 1 provides a summary of current known environmental and water quality monitoring occurring in Byron Shire.

As per this report, there is currently no funding to implement an Ecohealth program in the Brunswick Estuary, as the 2018 CZMP was not certified by the Minister. Due to the enactment of the NSW Coastal Management Framework in 2018, Council is now required to prepare Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) for its coastline. Council is now required to prepare Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) for its coastline.

Council will continue to support and implement (as required) the other water quality monitoring programs described in the attached report.

There is no activity in Council’s OP that directly resources this action.

The following actions provide indirect support:

OP 3.3.1.11 Participate in the preparation of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Richmond River

OP 3.3.1.8 Identify and evaluate management options and opportunities for addressing threats to the Byron Shire coastal zone and prepare Costal Management Programs

OP 3.3.1.3 Identify pollution sources and plan to improve water quality in Byron Shire's intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs)

OP 3.2.2.2 Provide coastal and biodiversity information and encourage and support community activities and groups

What programs exist to improve the biodiversity of our waterways and riparian degradation?

Requested by: Leonard Cronin

Council already delivers a range of riparian restoration projects through the Biodiversity and Agriculture Team and Restorations Team.

Updates to the Committee on these projects are provided at each Committee meeting.

The Key Issues section below lists current projects.

There are several OP actions that already support this aim:

OP 3.1.3.4 Investigate grant opportunities for improving the Brunswick Estuary ecosystems and river health.

OP 3.1.3.5 Deliver Federal Fish Habitat Restoration Project.

OP 3.1.3.6 Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program.

OP 3.2.2.1 Support Brunswick Valley Landcare to deliver the Land for Wildlife Program and biodiversity enquiries.

OP 3.3.1.11 Participate in the preparation of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Richmond River.

Can we implement ways to deal with: Unfenced cattle damaging riverbanks and waterways and High levels of nutrients derived from agricultural runoff.

Requested by: Leonard Cronin

Council already provides support to farmers on this through Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Program, which includes community engagement, workshops, mail outs and one on one farmer site visits.

There are no laws that require farmers to fence off their creeks. Education and incentive funding have had the best results by teaching the landholders the benefit of riparian fencing/ rehabilitation and incentive funds assist them to fence off the waterways and water their stock.

The Biodiversity/ Agriculture program supports and promotes Regenerative Agriculture which supports the retention of groundcover and the reduction of fertilizer and other chemical use. This greatly reduces soil and nutrient/chemical runoff into the waterways.

Currently, 360 members of the Byron Farmer Network are interested in commencing or already practicing Regenerative Agriculture over a number of farming types, predominantly grazing and macadamias.

There are several OP actions that already support this aim:

OP 4.3.5.1 Maintain and update Byron Shire Farmer database.

OP 4.3.5.2 Provide extension services to farmers to support and promote sustainable agriculture.

OP 4.3.5.3 Deliver farmer mentoring and farmer education activities.

Can we implement ways to deal with: Sewage discharge in flood events?

Requested by: Leonard Cronin

As part of the development of Coastal Management Programs for Belongil and Tallow Creeks, a recent study identifies and prioritises water quality pollutant sources for each ICOLL and provides potential management options to address water quality threats.

As part of the study a review of Council’s sewer overflow incident reporting from the last six years (2016 to 2022) was completed. Sewer overflow incidents represent a short-term but potentially high impact point source of pollutants to stormwater drains and downstream receiving environments. Interestingly, the Byron Bay STP had no major issues during the 2022 Flood event, however there was one incident noted with relevance to the Tallow Creek catchment.

It is currently unknown whether sewer overflow incidents are contributing to poor stormwater quality. As such, a recommended management action in the study is to undertake microbial source tracking, which uses DNA analysis to identify sources of faecal contamination (i.e. human vs. dog vs. other animal sources). This would provide further information and assist in directing management action. Other actions recommended are to monitor and maintain sewage infrastructure. The study is being reported to Council on the 28 September for adoption and will be put on Council’s CMP webpage: Coastal Management Program Southern Coastline including Estuaries - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au).

Council is also currently preparing an Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) and the issue of sewage system performance and overflow frequency is being addressed through that process. This project is being led by Infrastructure Services with updates provided to the Water and Sewer Committee.

There are several OP actions that already support this aim:

OP 5.5.2.13 Review Strategic Business Plan / Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

OP 3.3.1.3 Identify pollution sources and plan to improve water quality in Byron Shire's intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs)

Key issues

Recent Council waterway health improvement projects

· Council and community riparian restoration projects to date have been mapped.

· The Council Bush Regeneration team have a strong focus on waterway restoration, e.g. along the Brunswick River (Figure 1).

· NSW Fisheries habitat Action Grant (max $40k) riverbank rehabilitation project – Bringing Back the Bruns. Riparian rehabilitation by bush regeneration and some revegetation along 1.8km of Brunswick riverbank in Mullumbimby (approx. 3ha), on the left bank, downstream from the showground to Riverside drive.

· Flying-fox habitat improvement. Approx 450m of riparian rehabilitation. 250m along the Brunswick River left bank opposite Brunswick Terrace and along Mullumbimby Ck at River Terrace Mullumbimby.

· Flying-fox habitat improvement. Approx 150m of Paddys Ck in Bangalow. Riparian zone both sides regenerated and 600 plants added to riparian zone.

· Flying-fox habitat improvement. Approx 80m of Yoga Bera Ck in Mullumbimby. Riparian zone stabilised and revegetated. 400 plants.

· Flood rehabilitation – approx. 500m bed and banks of Upper Coopers Ck in Huonbrook re-modelled and rehabilitated following 2022 floods. This was carried out along with the rebuilding of the road adjacent to the creek.

· Bringing Back the Bruns project with North Coast Local Land Services (NCLLS). 160m of riverbank stabilisation and rehabilitation/revegetation on right bank of the Bruns R in Mullumbimby just upstream of the Mullumbimby Giants Rugby Club.

· Promotion and support of Regenerative Agriculture by the Biodiversity/Agriculture team teaches the benefits of riparian rehabilitation and protection. Agriculture incentive funds contribute towards fencing for rotational grazing which can be used to fence off riparian zones.

· Limited NCLLS funds are available for targeted riparian rehabilitation projects in the Richmond and the Brunswick catchments.

Figure 1. Byron Shire Council riparian restoration projects along the Brunswick River.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.1	Update Byron Shire habitat restoration database and DPE Koala Habitat Restoration Archive.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.4	Investigate grant opportunities for improving the Brunswick Estuary ecosystems and river health.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.5	Deliver Federal Fish Habitat Restoration Project
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.6	Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.2: Environmental education and awareness - Coordinate and support environmental education to the community	3.2.2.1	Support Brunswick Valley Landcare to deliver the Land for Wildlife Program and biodiversity enquiries.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.3: Protect the health of our coastline, estuaries, waterways, and catchments	3.3.1: Coastal Management Program planning and implementation - Undertake Coastal Management Program planning and implementation	3.3.1.3	Identify ICOLL water quality pollution sources
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.3: Protect the health of our coastline, estuaries, waterways, and catchments	3.3.1: Coastal Management Program planning and implementation - Undertake Coastal Management Program planning and implementation	3.3.1.11	Participate in the preparation of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Richmond River.
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.1	Maintain and update Byron Shire Farmer database.
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.2	Provide extension services to farmers to support and promote sustainable agriculture.
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.3	Deliver farmer mentoring and farmer education activities.
5: Connected Infrastructure We have connected infrastructure, transport, and facilities that are safe, accessible, and reliable	5.1: Provide a safe, reliable, and accessible transport network	5.1.1: Road network maintenance - Undertake road and transport network maintenance to meet the standards identified in the Asset Management Plan	5.1.1.8	Undertake urban roadside tree maintenance for dead, dying, and dangerous trees

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

No detailed costings for requested items provided at this stage.

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Thursday, 21 September 2023
Time	9.00am