Agenda of Biodiversity and Agriculture Advisory Committee Meeting

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.1

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.1 2023 Koala Activity Monitoring

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Joanne Green, Project Officer - Koala

File No: I2025/312

This report presents the results of Council’s 2023 koala activity monitoring program. Koala activity monitoring has been repeated every 3-5 years since 2016 in the Coastal Koala Plan of Management area. In 2023 the monitoring program was expanded to an additional 20 sites.

In the 2023 surveys, evidence of koala activity was recorded at 23 of the 76 sites (30%) across Byron Coast, with a mean activity level of 5.6%. Only 56% of all sites contained primary koala food trees.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity and Agricultural Advisory Committee notes the Koala Activity Monitoring Report 2023 (Attachment 1 E2024/12210).

Attachments:

1 REPORT Koala Activity Monitoring 2023, E2024/12210 , page 15⇩

Report

Background

The Byron Coast Koala Plan of Management (KPOM) was adopted by resolution of Council on 4 August 2016 and approved under State Environmental Planning Policy SEPP (Koala Habitat Protection) 2021 which commenced 17 March 2021.

This report details the methods used under the Koala Plan of management (KPOM) to survey for koala activity in Byron Shire. These surveys have been carried out every 3-5 years since the KPOM was adopted in 2016. The recognised method for survey for koalas is called the Regularised Grid-based Spot Assessment Technique (SAT for short).

The 2023 Koala Activity Survey was completed between September and November 2023. The survey work was undertaken by the Biodiversity team, with additional contractor costs and equipment funded under the NSW Koala Strategy ($32,604). Field surveys replicated the 56 sites previously surveyed in 2021, with the addition of 20 new sites, so a total of 76 sites across the coastal KPOM area.

Surveys used identification of koala scats to assess koala occupancy and activity level over the 2023 koala breeding season. Additionally, DCCEEW installed song meters at selected sites throughout the shire as part of their Tier 2 NSW Koala Strategy to detect calling male koalas during the breeding season. The song meter program is being extended throughout the Northern Rivers region and state, and results are expected in the coming months. A report on Byron Shire’s survey results is in preparation in partnership with DCCEEW and will be shared with stakeholders later in the year.

Key issues

In the 2023 surveys, evidence of koala activity (any site with koala faecal pellets under a tree, as per the SAT survey methodology) was recorded at 23 of the 76 sites (30%) across Byron Coast, with a mean activity level of 5.6% (Attachment 1).

While this activity appears low, it’s important to note that only 56% of all sites contained primary koala food trees (PKFTs) as part of the 30-tree method. Survey sites have been selected across a grid as a requirement of the SAT methodology. This means that survey sites can be selected in areas with marginal koala habitat. Sites have remained in consistent locations since they have been undertaken by Council.

To continue to maintain active, healthy populations in Byron Shire, Council is working on several koala conservation programs, including 42.5ha of koala habitat restoration, use of LED road signs and lighting in koala road strike blackspots and regional community education campaigns relating to dog attack and koala road strike.

Next steps

Staff are hoping to carry out the next round of surveys in 2026 and are currently seeking funding from the NSW koala strategy funding.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.3	Partner with the Northern Rivers Koala Network and Northern Rivers Koala Partnership to progress delivery of Byron Shire Koala Plan of Management and NSW Koala Strategy
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance 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, Pest Animal Management Plan and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 (SEPP 2021)

Chapter 4 Koala Habitat protection.

This Chapter aims to encourage the conservation and management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for koalas to support a permanent free-living population over their present range and reverse the current trend of koala population decline.

(includes SEPP 2020 Chapter 3 Koala Habitat Protection),

Relevant sections: Part 4.2 Development control of koala habitats (development assessment in koala habitat), Part 4.3 Koala Plans of Management.

Byron Coast Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management

ACTION16: Implement monitoring program of the Byron coast koala population.

In the KPOM the cost of doing SAT surveys was estimated at $5-10,000 every 2 years, dependant on methodology. Today the actual cost is around $25 – 35,000 and Council seeks grant funding to do this.

Financial Considerations

As discussed in the report.

Consultation and Engagement

Results of this and previous surveys reported at the Koala Conversations – Regional Koala Conference Lismore March 2024 by Caitlan Weatherstone.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Report No. 4.2 Biodiversity and Agriculture Projects and Operations Update

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Liz Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2025/239

Summary:

This report provides the Biodiversity Advisory Committee with an update on current key projects and programs being undertaken by the Biodiversity and Agriculture team, in accordance with Council’s Operational Plan, Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Agriculture Action Plan, Koala Plan of Management, Pest Animal Management Plan and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan, including:

· Bringing Back the Bruns projects

· Wildlife Corridor Mapping and website

· Koala Conservation

· Pest Animal Management Program

· Sustainable Agriculture Program

· Flying Fox Management

· Cockatoos and Curlews project

RECOMMENDATION:

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

Report

Bringing Back the Bruns Initiative

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.29 Continue to develop and implement ‘Bringing back the Bruns’ branded projects to address improvements in riparian and instream habitat, water quality, fish passage and habitat connectivity on Council and private land along the Brunswick River and its tributaries.

'Bringing back the Bruns' is a program that aims to rehabilitate the Brunswick River, estuary and catchment. It involves us working with partners and the community on a series of projects. Projects include bush regeneration and restoration of the riparian corridor, addressing riverbank erosion, reconnecting fish habitats, improving soil health and working with and supporting landholders. This program is ongoing and generally delivered through partnership arrangements and grant funding opportunities. Some of the current Bringing Back the Bruns projects are described below.

Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI)

The NRWI project is a $300,000 habitat restoration project, funded by DPIRD via Rous County Council, aimed at restoring natural hydrologic functions in upper catchment areas that deliver improvements in stream bank condition and river health and contribute to reduced flood risk within the catchment.

Byron Shire Council’s project started in October 2024 and, to date 11 sites have been identified for restoration works and planting. These include 8 sites on private land and 3 Council-managed sites.

Contractors have been engaged for work at all sites, landholder agreements signed and progress monitoring set up. Works completed to date include development of site action plans, fencing remnant vegetation and planting sites, site preparation and preliminary bush regeneration work. The bulk of the planting will occur April-May 2025 (subject to weather), with follow up maintenance until September 2026.

Projects of this scale, involving large numbers of landholders, are complex and time-consuming to deliver, but provide our best opportunity to achieve habitat restoration and tree planting at scale, as the bulk of suitable land in Byron Shire is in private ownership. Projects such as these not only get on-ground work done, but are also effective in kick-starting landholders on their regeneration journey. Many landholders who have received Council grants for restoration in the past continue to restore their properties using their own funds and new skills, as well as applying for more grants.

Caring for Catchments

Brunswick Valley Landcare are continuing to deliver the Caring for Catchments project at six sites in the Brunswick River catchment. Sites were selected, together with NRWI sites (above) through a landholder expression of interest process, with sites prioritised subject to position in the catchment, impact of the project on catchment restoration, landholder capacity/willingness, proximity to wildlife corridors and inclusion of working farms to demonstrate the benefits of catchment restoration to farm productivity and resilience. Contractors have been engaged for this work and works are underway.

Marshalls Creek Foreshore Remediation Project

DPIRD - Fisheries in partnership with Council as part of the NSW NEAP Program have progressed with planning for a site at New Brighton on Marshalls Creek for future erosion and bank stabilisation works. Bank undercutting from wash and current scour is threatening public access to the foreshore and the Council Road. Public trampling of the riverbank is also having an impact on the stability of the area. The erosion at this location was also identified as a key concern by communities in Ocean Shores, New Brighton and South Golden Beach during the recent master plan consultation.

DPIRD - Fisheries have engaged a consultant to identify planning pathways and approvals advice and to develop detailed designs for foreshore remediation. A consultant was engaged in January 2025 and the project will be completed by June 2025. Council is supporting the project through provision of advice, data, information, and staff review of designs.

Brunswick Valley Riparian Planting Booklet

Council partnered with Brunswick Valley Landcare to update and reprint the Planting Rivers and Streams in the Brunswick Valley Catchment booklet that was developed in the 1990s. The new booklet gives simple, updated information on what species to plant where in riparian zones and how to plant. The new booklet focusses on keystone riparian species that held banks and slopes well in the recent floods.

Printing of the booklet was funded by BVL and a $3,000 grant from DCCEEW. The booklet was launched at Kohinur Hall on 14 February, with presentations from BVL, Council and Local Land Services staff on riparian restoration, and a walk and talk along the creek to discuss on-site restoration strategies.

Wildlife Corridor Mapping and Biodiversity DCP review

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

1.18 Update Council's wildlife corridor mapping and liaise with other NRJO Councils to ensure consistency in wildlife corridor mapping across the region.

The Byron Shire Wildlife Corridor System was adopted by Council on 7 December 2023 (Resolution 23-594). In 2024, Council received a $10,000 grant from DCCEEW to develop a user-friendly GIS web map to showcase the Byron Shire wildlife corridor network at an individual property scale.

The web map was presented to the community on 14 February 2025, together with the launch of the Revegetating Streams in the Brunswick Catchment booklet. The map (image below) enables people to zoom in on their property, find out information about the plants and animals that might use their local wildlife corridor, and find information on how to restore wildlife habitat. Map users can explore and print a list of native plant species suited to their local area, as well as follow links for more information on wildlife habitat restoration.

The wildlife corridor map is a useful conservation planning tool for Council and conservation groups such as Brunswick Valley Landcare. The map has been used to guide site selection for multiple current private landholder habitat restoration projects, including the Northern Rivers Watershed project, the Caring for Catchments project and the Koala Arks project.

Koalas

Koala Habitat Restoration

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

3.9 Seek grant funding opportunities for combined Council-private landholder restoration and revegetation projects on private land.

Council has received a grant of $85,000 from the NSW Koala Strategy to restore 42.5ha of koala habitat in Byron Shire, under the Northern Rivers Ark Project. To date 8 sites have been identified, in Yelgun, Myocum, Mullumbimby and Tyagarah. Staff are currently in the process of engaging contractors, setting up site monitoring and starting work.

Field Guide to Koala Habitat Trees of Far North Coast NSW

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.13 Liaise with local conservation groups and government agencies to share information (e.g. monitoring data) and identify opportunities for biodiversity conservation partnerships.

In 2024, Byron Shire Council received a grant of $10,000 from DCCEEW to develop, deliver, and distribute a Field Guide to Koala Habitat Trees of Far North Coast NSW. This project came about following regular koala activity surveys carried out by Byron Shire Council and other local councils, where field staff and other conservation practitioners expressed a need for a field identification guide to koala habitat trees that is geographically specific to the Northern Rivers.

This collaborative project was co-funded by WWF Australia and included input from expert local botanists and koala conservation practitioners, to develop and test a taxonomic key and simple descriptions of eucalypt and related genera growing in this region, as well as other sclerophyll species commonly found in koala habitat survey sites.

200 copies of the field guide were printed in March 2025, and these are being distributed to conservation practitioners in the region for use and testing, with a second print run planned for later in the year. DCCEEW has since engaged a contractor to deliver workshops on how to use the guide in the Northern Rivers region.

Koala Vehicle Strike

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

4.25 Work with RMS, local wildlife groups and Regional Koala Communications Group to identify road strike hotspots in Byron Shire.

4.26 Seek funding for road strike mitigation trials at priority road strike hotspots.

4.27 Consider roadkill mitigation measures and opportunities to improve wildlife connectivity into design work for new roads and road asset upgrades.

Staff are continuing to progress the Koala LED radar speed signs project, funded by a $185,029 grant from the NSW Koala Strategy, which includes variable message signs and pavement treatments at koala road strike blackspots on Coolamon Scenic Rd, Coorabell Rd and Broken Head Rd. LED radar speed signs were installed at the three sites in October 2024. Pavement painting is complete at Broken Head Rd and partly complete at Coorabell Rd (delayed by wet weather). The new signs have been well received by the community and driver speed data is being downloaded every 6 months and sent to DCCEEW, who are investigating the impact and effectiveness of different types of wildlife signs across the region.

Staff are currently working with DCCEEW and Transport for NSW to seek support for lighting and signage on Hinterland Way-Granuaille Rd, to the north of Bangalow, which is a known black spot for koala road strike. TfNSW are a concurrence agency for any infrastructure installed along this road, and their Traffic Engineering - Guidance and Delineation (TEGD) team have advised that they would not support Council installing Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) on Hinterland Way at this time. This is because the TEGD team are developing a Transport for NSW Enhanced Warning Signage Technical Direction which will create a standard fleet of koala VASs that can be rolled out on any State road in the future. The design and development of these VASs is likely to be complete by July/August this year and trialled from Sept/Oct this year.

TfNSW have flagged Hinterland Way with the TEGD team as a possible trial site for them to consider. This would be subject to the site being suitable for accurate collection of key data, including animal presence, animal strikes, speed and traffic data.

The TEGD team have consulted with the Qld Dept of Transport and Main Roads on what is and isn’t working with Qld’s standard koala VAS signage, which has brought about a focus on trying to create signage that is targeted at reducing speeds at optimal times to reduce koala strikes, rather than reducing speeds at all times (of the year) with diminishing effect over time. The VASs being developed will likely be seasonal LED warning signage (picturing a koala) that will be activated during breeding season only with wording indicating koalas are ‘active’ at that time. This may be supported by additional speed zone signage indicating a ‘koala zone’. Staff have been advised by this region’s TfNSW Community and Safety Partner that we’ll get an update on progress in June 2025.

Northern Rivers Koala Network (NRKN)

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.13 Liaise with local conservation groups and government agencies to share information (e.g. monitoring data) and identify opportunities for biodiversity conservation partnerships.

The Northern Rivers Koala Network (NRKN) is a group representing koala conservation practitioners/organisation in the Northern Rivers, including local councils, State Government, Landcare, Friends of the Koala, WWF, IFAW, Local Land Services, Conservation Volunteers Australia, etc. Similar partnerships occur elsewhere in NSW and are supported by the NSW Koala Strategy.

The group meets every two months to share information and resources and to develop ways to work strategically and collaboratively on koala conservation goals. Through this group, Council has been involved in the development of community engagement campaigns and collateral, the Northern Rivers Regional Koala Strategy, research and lobbying for grant funding for habitat restoration and road strike mitigation.

Pest Animal Management Program

Pest Animal Management Plan 2018-23

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.23 Work with North Coast LLS and private land managers to develop a coordinated cross-tenure approach to pest animal management.

Last year Council engaged Ecosure to develop a revised Pest Animal Management Plan, part funded by a $25,000 grant from DCCEEW. The draft plan has been reviewed by Local Land Services, who are the primary agency for pest animal management in this region. The draft plan will be sent to Council for endorsement to go on public exhibition in April. Following the public exhibition period, community feedback will be considered and a final plan reported to Council for adoption.

The primary purpose of the Plan is to support Council with the management of vertebrate pests on Council owned and managed land. The plan also provides relevant pest management information to local community, however Local Land Services are the primary agency responsible for providing information and support on pest management to private landholders – this is not the role of Council. The Department of Primary industries and Regional Development is responsible for invertebrate and freshwater pest species as well as new pest incursions and research.

Some new elements of the revised plan include:

· Greater collaboration with neighbouring Councils in recognition that many pest animals are highly mobile.

· Greater emphasis on management of feral deer.

· Acknowledgement of the cultural and ecological importance of dingoes, and actions to work with Traditional Owners and dingo scientists to improve our understanding of dingo occurrence and behaviour in Byron Shire and present a range of management alternatives.

Cane Toads

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

2.1 Provide expert advice regarding how people can help protect biodiversity

2.7 Support and promote local biodiversity-related events and citizen science initiatives.

2.8 Develop and implement a Pest Management Education and Awareness Plan for target pest animal species in Byron Shire.

In January 2025 Council carried out a community cane toad bust event and education session.

Byron Shire Council's 2025 Cane Toad Program has been a great success, thanks to the dedication of local environmental champions. The program provided a drop-off point (fridge/freezer), managed by a volunteer, available for cane toads collected by our community, leading to an increase in toad removal efforts. Council also a hosted educational session, followed by a toad bust event, which saw over 40 participants, and a 4-day toad bust challenge.

This was the first-ever online toad-busting challenge in Byron, although initially slow to gain traction, it effectively promoted education, engagement, and measurable reductions in local cane toad populations. In total, 133 people participated in our cane toad program, a total of 6385 cane toad/tadpoles were removed from our local environment. Contributing to more than 200,000 cane toads/tadpoles controlled this season so far in Australia.

The program's long-lasting impact is clear, as many community members continue to remove cane toads and submit data through the Watergum Dashboard. Notable achievements include one individual removing over 13,000 tadpoles and another controlling 1,400 adult toads. These efforts are crucial for protecting local wildlife and preventing further ecological damage. Council plans to continue supporting cane toad control in future years, with plans to make tadpole traps available for community use.

Feral Deer

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.13 Liaise with local conservation groups and government agencies to share information (e.g. monitoring data) and identify opportunities for biodiversity conservation partnerships.

Councils on the Far North Coast have had some push back from LLS regarding the development of Rapid Response Plans to control deer, so instead have moved into the education space. Under the coordination of the Northern rivers is on Deer alert project manager, community workshops were organised in Tweed, Kyogle and Byron Shires. The Feral Deer Free Community Workshop took place in Mullumbimby on 28/11/2024 and achieved maximum capacity and interest (20 people).

The 3-hour workshop was held at Mullumbimby Civic Hall and focused on impact of deer, ecology, species identification, legislation, landscape signs of deer, available control measures, monitoring and a practical demonstration on wildlife cameras-up including advice on where to set them up. The workshop was attended by local landholders as well as Council outdoor staff.

Indian Myna

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.22 Develop and implement Operational Plans for target pest species

Council’s Indian Myna trapping program is currently in progress (October to May), with traps being distributed to interested landholders. However, the contractor has reported low numbers in decoy birds. Since October, Council has focused media releases and distributed letters in mailboxes in specific townships where community members have reported increased sightings of Indian Mynas (through phone calls and FeralScan). Articles were published in Bangalow Herald and Byron Times (October 2024 and December 2024 respectively).

While community interest in the Indian Myna trapping program has increased, with many residents expressing willingness to participate, the contractor has observed a slow uptake when reaching out to initiate trapping efforts. A final report detailing the program's outcomes is expected at the end of the season.

Imported Red Fire Ant

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is continuing actions to control Fire Ants in the Northern Rivers. Management of Alert Species like Fire Ants is the responsibility of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Following Cyclone Alfred, the NSW Government has taken immediate action to ensure flood fodder is fire ant free, suspending the permit for moving hay from infested areas of Southeast Queensland into NSW for 1 month, effective on 13th March 2025. The swift response follows the discovery of multiple fire ant colonies rafting in flood waters in Queensland, within the Logan River catchment. While the catchment flows to the northeast and into Moreton Bay, the risk of mobile fire ant colonies being transported into NSW in known carrier materials is increased.

The NSW Government has also indefinitely suspended movement of turf movement from Queensland Fire Ant Infested Areas. These revised regulations were distributed to relevant Council staff immediately and staff will continue to do this, guided by DPIRD.

Sustainable Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture Small Grants for Farmers.

In 2024 Council launched a pilot regenerative agriculture small grants program to support local farmers to undertake on-ground regenerative agriculture initiatives to improve their farm sustainability and productivity.

The first round of small grants for farmers was a great success with 18 expressions of interest received. Four projects were supported, including:

- Installing a worm farm to create a circular waste management and fertilising system at a farm/restaurant,

- Providing irrigation and fencing to support fencing a rotational grazing system,

- Introduction of beneficial insects for an organic pest management trial in a macadamia orchard, and

- A trial to develop biological sprays from compost, to promote seed health in a market garden.

This has proven to be a great way to encourage on ground farming support that enables farmers to be more productive and sustainable. Each successful applicant has agreed to host a field day to showcase the great work they have done so the learnings can be shared amongst the farming community. Information on each project will also be shared on Council’s website.

Slow the Flow Grant

Council has a 2-year, $50,000 grant under the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative to trial a more holistic regenerative approach to managing soil erosion and protecting our water ways. The project has successfully recruited and onboarded 11 farmers into the Soil Mentor program, which is an app designed to help farmers observe and monitor soil health and enable better decisions for more effective outcomes.

We held our first on farm workshop in Jan 2025 with all farmers successfully completing their first round of soil tests by mid March. We have had great feedback from farmers and much accelerated learnings as a group.

The second round of soil tests will happen in June (dry season). Following this, participants will attend a workshop to review their data and identify management interventions to improve soil health specific to their site. Landholders will submit a proposal for soil health actions in July, and these actions will be reviewed and funded by the Slow the Flow grant.

It has been great to see farmers understand their soil and land through a new lens and see ways in which they can improve soil health, to hold more water and be more productive.

Agriculture Workshops/Field Days

Agriculture Action Plan actions:

1.4 Develop and deliver (or refer landholders to) workshops and field days on best practice farming, innovation, productivity, sustainable land use and biodiversity.

1.6 Source and provide current best practice farming information and techniques to assist farmers to improve productivity and sustainability by practice change

We ran a second chemical free Camphor workshop in December 2024. It has been a huge success with another workshop full capacity.

A compost workshop is scheduled for April 5^th at The Paddock which doubles up as a show case of the trials that have been undertaken as part of the Regenerative Agriculture small grants.

Flying-Fox Management

Education and engagement

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

2.1 Provide expert advice regarding how people can help protect biodiversity

4.9 Implement actions in the Flying Fox Camp Management Plan 2024-2029 (FFCMP).

Flying Fox Camp Management Plan (FFCMP) 2024-2029: Proposed Actions For all camps

1.2 Education and awareness services:

· In partnership with other organisations e.g. National Parks and Wildlife Service – Discovery Ranger Program, investigate opportunities to facilitate talks in schools to staff and students regarding flying-foxes and health

· Review roost signage

Council is continuing to distribute the A3 educational booklet Facts About Bats to local schools, preschools and libraries. Offering a 20 to 30 minutes talk about the importance of flying foxes in our local ecosystems. Council has been to Wilson’s Creek Public School on 28/02/2025 presenting tailored pollinator information in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia and the ecologist Professor Sarah Legge, followed by a pollinator garden planting with the children.

Council also presented the flying-fox talk at the Mullumbimby Public Library during the History time for 10 children and parents.

Interpretive Signs

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

2.14 Seek funding for design and fabrication of engaging interpretive information regarding native wildlife at locations receiving high visitor numbers.

Council has successfully applied for a $15,400 grant from DCCEEW to review and improve the flying-fox educational signs located at our main urban roosts. The current signs are outdated, damaged and would have more impact if messaging and images are better tailored to the local community. Council will be working with one of the most renowned flying-fox photographers in Australia to collate text and images for the signs.

Flying Fox Camp Management

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.1 Progress restoration of remaining Council-managed sites identified as requiring restoration to an on-maintenance level

Flying Fox Camp Management Plan Action:

1.4 Routine camp management

Council is implementing this action of the FFCMP 2024-29, starting with restoration works at the Middleton Roost, in Byron Bay. A partnership has been sought with the new landowner and works are being planned to start this financial year.

Monitoring flying fox health

Flying Fox Camp Management Plan Actions:

1.5 Protocols and procedures to manage incidents

1.13 Participation in research projects

Council’s Biodiversity Team has partnered with the Sustainability Team to install sensors to monitor temperature and humidity in flying fox camps. This information will be made available to Western Sydney University researchers (Dr Justin Welbergen and Samantha Yabsley) and local wildlife carer groups. Flying-foxes are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and heat stress events can start at 38°C.

Council is also supporting researchers the Bat One Health (BOH) project (Griffith University) who are undertaking research on flying fox health in the Mullumbimby Roost.

National Flying-Fox Monitoring Program - Census

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.9 Review and implement monitoring programs to assess effectiveness of Council ecological restoration.

Flying Fox Camp Management Plan Action:

1.2 Education and awareness services: Ensure regular monitoring of all known flying-fox roosts and continue providing data to the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP).

Council conducts quarterly surveys at 7 flying-fox urban roosts as part of the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP):

· Bangalow: Paddy’s Creek and Bryon Creek

· Suffolk Park: Beech Drive

· Byron Bay: Middleton St and Butler St

· Mullumbimby: Mullumbimby Garden Ave and Showgrounds

Bush Stone-curlews

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

Byron Council has partnered with Tweed Shire Council to extend Tweed Council’s highly successful Conserving Cockatoos and Curlews project, funded by the NSW Environment Trust. As a project partner, Byron Council staff and Byron Bird Buddies volunteers are working to monitor curlew pairs and nest sites in Byron Shire and to teach the community about Bush Stone-curlews.

Bush Stone-curlews like open grassy habitats for nesting, including schools, road reserves and holiday parks. We have been working with holiday park managers and residents to report curlew activity and protect nesting sites. Through the project we have developed information postcards and road signs, and monthly social media posts to encourage people to drive carefully and report curlew sightings. Later this year staff will be attending local farmers markets with more information on curlews for our local communities.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.3	Partner with the Northern Rivers Koala Network and Northern Rivers Koala Partnership to progress delivery of Byron Shire Koala Plan of Management and NSW Koala Strategy
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.7	Complete quarterly National Flying Fox census
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance 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, Pest Animal Management Plan and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.10	Support and promote restoration of Byron Shire wildlife corridors
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.11	Partner with DPE to implement koala vehicle strike mitigation as part of the NSW Koala Strategy 2022-2026
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.2	Implement Indian Myna Trapping program
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.3	Participate in Northern Rivers Feral Deer Management group
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.5	Respond to biosecurity threats in accordance with regulatory direction and agreement
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.7	Review of Pest Animal Management Plan
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.4	Continue progressing the 'Bringing Back the Bruns' river restoration initiative
3: Nurtured Environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the 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	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the environment	3.2.2: Environmental education and awareness - Coordinate and support environmental education to the community	3.2.2.8	Implement Council's Flying Fox Camp Management Plan
3: Nurtured Environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the environment	3.2.2: Environmental education and awareness - Coordinate and support environmental education to the community	3.2.2.9	Deliver NSW Environment Trust Cockatoos and Curlews Project in partnership with Tweed Shire Council
3: Nurtured Environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.3	Participate in coastal and environmental working groups and initiatives
4: Ethical Growth	4.3: Promote and support the 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	4.3: Promote and support the 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 and mentoring to farmers to support and promote sustainable agriculture
4: Ethical Growth	4.3: Promote and support the local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.3	Activate and promote local sustainable farming

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

For Information Only 6.1

For Information Only

Report No. 6.1 Wildlife Corridors

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Shannon Burt, Director Sustainable Environment and Economy

File No: I2025/634

Summary:

Council considered Notice of Motion No. 9.2 Byron Shire Biodiversity: Supporting Wildlife Corridors, Koala Habitat Protection and Ending Native Forest Logging Agenda of Ordinary Meeting - Thursday, 24 April 2025.

Part of the NOM was removed from the final Res 25-159 during the discussion because of the staff comments that provided a response to the matters raised. Minutes of Ordinary Meeting - Thursday, 24 April 2025

Item 2 (as removed) response is referred to the Committee for information by way of Councillor request.

Report

Staff response below.

2. Receives a report to the June 2025 meeting on the integration of wildlife corridor planning in Council's strategic land use documents, including completed, planned and potential actions to incorporate wildlife corridor planning in the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan.

Councillors should refer to Report No. 13.3 Byron Shire Wildlife Corridor System Agenda of Ordinary (Planning) Meeting - Thursday, 7 December 2023 for a detailed summary of where the wildlife corridor map sits within Council’s strategic land use documents.

Some key points from this report are provided below. They may also like to look at the frequently asked questions relating to land use planning at Wildlife Corridors map - Byron Shire Council

· The primary intention of the wildlife corridor system is to provide a decision planning tool to help Council and other conservation groups to plan and prioritise habitat restoration. As per Council Resolution 23-594, Council endorsed the Byron Shire Wildlife Corridor System as a conservation planning tool to support and encourage wildlife habitat restoration.

· The corridor map is non-statutory because Council’s Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014 already protects high conservation value land in Byron Shire, as Conservation Zones (C-Zones), which have been identified through on-ground assessments and an extensive landholder consultation and engagement process. The wildlife corridor map is a GIS model, based on vegetation mapping, threatened species records, topography, climate, protected areas and land use constraints. To implement a statutory wildlife corridor map would require ground truthing of every parcel within the corridor, and species-specific surveys to determine what areas are being used as a corridor. Council does not have the resources to do this.

· When the wildlife corridor map went on public exhibition, the key community concerns raised related to restrictions on land use planning. The community is not going to get behind this map and proactively restore habitat if it is perceived as another planning restriction, that penalises landholders who have already created or protected wildlife habitat and creates additional costs for landholders to carry out permitted land uses or compliant development. There is a real risk that using the map to restrict land use may discourage people from planting/restoring habitat, for fear of what restrictions this may create for them in future.

· The wildlife corridors do not include all the high environmental value vegetation in Byron Shire. They also include a lot of cleared farmland (because our habitat is fragmented). Native vegetation threatened species habitat, areas of high environmental value and areas that maintain habitat connectivity are already protected under DCP Chapter B1 (see B1.2.1), whether within or outside of wildlife corridors.

· Additionally, Council’s Guidelines for preparing Vegetation Management Plans or Biodiversity Conservation Management Plans (E2019/31834 - Developing Vegetation and Biodiversity Conservation Management Plans - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)), require that wildlife corridors are identified on VMP and BCMP site maps so that these areas can be considered as priority areas for planned management and restoration activities (e.g. tree planting required for tourist cabins).

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.10	Support and promote restoration of Byron Shire wildlife corridors
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance 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, Pest Animal Management Plan and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan
3: Nurtured Environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.3	Partner with the Northern Rivers Koala Network and Northern Rivers Koala Partnership to progress delivery of Byron Shire Koala Plan of Management and NSW Koala Strategy
3: Nurtured Environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of the 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

Recent Resolutions

· 25-159

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Projects and Programs are funded and managed through annual Budget and Grant allocations.

Financial Considerations

Projects and Programs are funded and managed through annual Budget and Grant allocations.

Consultation and Engagement

Not relevant to this report.

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Time	4:30 PM

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
1: Effective Leadership	1.1: Enhance trust and accountability through open and transparent leadership	1.1.1: Leadership - Enhance leadership effectiveness, capacity, and ethical behaviour	1.1.1.3	Develop 2025/26 Operational Plan
1: Effective Leadership	1.1: Enhance trust and accountability through open and transparent leadership	1.1.4: Performance Measurement and Reporting - Embed a robust performance management system through the development of an outcomes measurement framework	1.1.4.4	Prepare the 2025-2029 Delivery Program