Environmental Management and Compliance Levy Report
PURPOSE: To report the expenditure funded by the Environmental Levy for the financial year ending 26 June 2015.
DATE: 3 December 2015
Table of Contents
SPECIAL NOTES
COMMENTARY
BACKGROUND TO THE LEVY
SUMMARY OF PERIOD ENDING 26 JUNE 2015
Service 1.1.1.1 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Operating)
Service 1.1.1.1 - 100 Percent Green Power
Service 1.1.1.1 - Brisbane City Council - Carbon Offsets
Service 1.1.2.1 - Integrated Environmental Management
Service 1.3.2.1- Conservation Reserves Management
Service 1.3.2.1 - Natural Areas Risk Management
Service 1.3.3.2 - Biodiversity Planning
Service 1.3.3.1 - Community Conservation Partnerships
Service 1.6.2.1 - Creek Filtration System Trials
Service 1.6.2.1 - Local Waterway Health Assessment and Evaluation
Service 1.6.2.1 - Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring
Service 1.6.2.1 - Waterways Health Enhancement (Schedule)
Service 1.6.2.1 - Improve Ecological Health and Liveability of Waterways
Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) Maintenance
Erosion & Sediment Control - Residential Building Sites
Erosion Sediment and Control - Development Sites
Stormwater and waterway policy, planning, technical studies and management
Service 1.8.1.1 - Reduce Pollution
Service 1.8.2.1 - Closed Landfill Management
Service 1.8.2.1 - Restoration for Recreation
Service 1.8.3.1 - Environmental Licensing and Compliance
GRAPH Actual Expenditure for 2014/15
OPERATING STATEMENT
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SPECIAL NOTES
- This is a Special Purpose Financial Report.
- The report is prepared in order to report the progress of works and activities carried out to protect and enhance the natural environment, to comply with the Environmental Protection Act regulations, and the expenditure of funds raised by the Environment Management and Compliance Levy.
- The report is for presentation to the Environment Parks and Sustainability Committee.
- Amounts used in this report have been extracted from the SAP System.
COMMENTARY
BACKGROUND TO THE LEVY
The Environment Management and Compliance Levy assists Council by covering some of the costs associated with:
(a)The protection and enhancement of the natural environment through activities undertaken by Council including:
- monitoring and enforcement of compliance by others with environmental and planning legislation;
- managing of environmental programs and initiatives; and
- remediation of environmental problems.
Examples - protection of air quality, waterways, sediment control, landfill issues and effluent discharge.
(b)The meeting of Council's obligations under the Environment Protection Act 1994
Additional funds will be contributed by Council from General Rates (from recurrent and capital funds) to effectively deliver the Environmental Management and Compliance Program each year.
SUMMARY OF PERIOD ENDING 26 JUNE 2015
For the period ending 26 June 2015, the Levy has raised $36.331m (net of remissions $0.660m). Environment Management and Compliance Levy expenditure for the period totaled $36.680m. The shortfall of revenue over expenditure of $349k was met from Council’s General Revenue.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following services and associated projects:
Service 1.1.1.1 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Operating)
The expenditure on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction for 2014/15 was $842k. Revenue received was $37k.
This primarily supported salary costs for the Energy and Carbon Team as well as facilitating the Energy Information Management Service (EIMS). EIMS is both an electricity bill validation service and an environmental reporting platform that stores all of Council’s energy use data and is used to support energy and emissions reporting. Revenue received of $37k was associated with Energex rebate payments.
Service 1.1.1.1 - 100 Percent Green Power
The expenditure on the Green Power Initiative project for 2014/15 was $4.823m.
Council purchased 100% of its electricity from accredited renewable electricity generators. These generators supply electricity from wind, solar, biomass and hydro sources. The GreenPower renewable energy supply is additional to the mandatory obligation under the Federal Government Renewable Energy Target Legislation.
During the 2014/15 financial year approximately 105,200 Megawatt Hours of Electricity was sourced from renewable technology. This avoided the creation of approximately 85,212 tonnes scope 2 emissions of CO2e.
Service 1.1.1.1 - Brisbane City Council - Carbon Offsets
The expenditure on the Brisbane City Council - Carbon Offsets project for 2014/15 was $31k.
Council negated the carbon emissions from its vehicle fleet, bus fleet, ferries and stationary energy use by purchasing carbon offsets. In 2014/15 approximately 116,000 carbon offsets were surrendered. $31k was spent in 2014/15 to top up Councils reserve of carbon offsets.
Service 1.1.2.1 - Integrated Environmental Management
The expenditure on the Integrated Environmental Management for 2014/15 was $689k.
Work undertaken in this program covers:
- Maintaining Council's Environmental Management System to manage environmental risks arising from Council activities and to provide opportunities for further improvement;
- Developing policies, operational procedures and guidelines across Council to deliver reductions in the environmental risks of Council’s activities and operations, to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
Service 1.3.2.1- Conservation Reserves Management
The expenditure on Conservation Reserves Management in 2014/15 was $10.705m. Revenue received was $142k.
Work undertaken in this program cover a range of activities ensuring management of Brisbane’s bushland assets to enhance biodiversity outcomes and resident safety and delivers the following outcomes:
- Natural Areas are safe for visitors and staff and do not present unacceptable risk to neighbouring properties or assets (includes fire risk);
- Natural Areas are presented in a clean condition, reasonably free of litter, pests, weeds and vermin and suited to the expected public use of the area;
- Council assets in natural areas are maintained and preserved;
- The natural environment is maintained so that adverse environmental impacts are minimised;
- Visitors and residents are provided with opportunities to gain greater appreciation of natural areas and made aware of how to contribute to management of them;
- Vegetation management is strategically planned and implemented;
- Customer service is responsive and in accordance with Council policies and practices.
Service 1.3.2.1 - Natural Areas Risk Management
The expenditure on the Natural Areas Risk Management project for 2014/15 was $603k.
This is a program of works identifies and addresses risks and hazards in Council’s Conservation Reserves portfolio.
Council has acquired a significant area of land (more than 8000 hectares) across the city for the purposes of biodiversity and conservation. Many parcels of land have had previous uses including farming and quarrying or have been subject to unregulated activities such as illegal dumping.
This program seeks to identify risks and hazards though audits and undertakes remedial actions to address hazards such as:
- Removal of hazardous material left from previous activities e.g. farm chemicals;
- To secure areas that propose a risk to land managers and the community such as mine shafts or quarry faces;
- Removal of dumped waste including asbestos;
- Rehabilitate contaminated land.
Council purchased 63 Graham Road Carseldine in 2014/15 to protect the Carseldine Mud Springs which is listed on the Heritage Overlay in City Plan 2014.
Service 1.3.3.2 - Biodiversity Planning
The expenditure on Biodiversity Planning for 2014/15 was $1.089m.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:
Brisbane City Plan 2014
- Revised the City Plan 2014 Biodiversity area overlay mapping to inform future planning scheme amendments.
Natural Area Management Planning
- Declared six Council-owned natural areas – Kuraby, Hawkesbury Road, Blunder Creek Reserve, Mt Petrie Road, Pooh Corner, and Wacol bushlands - as nature refuges under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
- Completed the Bushfire Risk Management Plan for Council-managed natural areas
- Commenced a city-wide vegetation mapping project with the Queensland Herbarium to provide contemporary information about Brisbane’s vegetation.
Threatened Species
- Mapped locations for priority wildlife movement solutions to inform future road upgrade project.
Neighborhood Planning
- Provided advice on biodiversity provisions for incorporation into the development of Neighbourhood Plan.
Strategic Advice
- Provided strategic advice on major development applications to support the timely assessment of applications and ensure the conservation of significant biodiversity assets.
- Provided strategic advice to support the application of new Queensland Government environmental offsets legislation.
Service 1.3.3.1 - Community Conservation Partnerships
The expenditure on Community Conservation Partnerships project 2014/15 was $2.602m. Revenue received was $431k.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:
Wildlife Conservation Partnerships Program
Wildlife Conservation Partnerships Program (WCPP) provides a cost effective mechanism for protecting and sustainably managing strategically important bushlands, wetlands and wildlife corridors in the city through partnerships with private land owners. Through WCPP a culture of stewardship for nature is developed with participating land owners and their neighbours, enhancing community development and delivering improved land management through a structured program addressing erosion control and the threats of weeds, fire and pests.
In 2014/15 Council partnered with 649 landowners to protect and manage 2056 ha of bushland.
Creek Catchment Rangers
This project relates to the community based catchment group activities for all of the City’s major water catchments. Activities enhance the primary objectives of building capacity and goodwill within the catchment groups, providing support for their activities through provision of information, advice, funding and networks and undertaking on ground rehabilitation projects in association with the community.
Habitat Brisbane
This project relates to promoting community involvement in bush land and habitat regeneration to support Brisbane Vision 2031: 40% of mainland Brisbane will be natural habitat. This is facilitated through:
- Fostering recognition of our diverse fauna, flora and ecosystems through community participation;
- Provides an opportunity for community involvement in the protection and restoration of bushland habitat on Council land;
- Fosters local communities’ sense of place, and awareness of values, threats and management of bushland.
The program supports 128 formal Habitat Brisbane groups across the city on 460ha.
Service 1.6.2.1 - Creek Filtration System Trials
The expenditure on Creek Filtration System Trials project for 2014/15 was $509k. Revenue received was $500.
Under the Lord Mayor’s Cleaner Waterways initiative, the creek filtration project is part of a commitment to maintain the health and resilience of priority waterways through waterway health maintenance, rehabilitation and enhancement works including a four-year trial of six filtration systems in three of Brisbane’s waterway systems: 2 @ Oxley Creek (South), 2 @ Kedron Brook (North) and 2 @ Norman Creek (East).
In 2014/15 the last two systems were designed and constructed at Mayfly Creek (Oxley Creek #2), A.K.A. Englefield Rd, Oxley and Strathmere Place, Upper Kedron (Kedron Brook #2).
Service 1.6.2.1 - Local Waterway Health Assessment and Evaluation
The expenditure on the Local Waterway Health Assessment and Evaluation project for 2014/15 was $439k.
A number of projects progressed in 2014-15 which deliver the following:
- Assessment and interpretation of city-wide water quality data against the Water Quality Objectives (Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009)
- Reduce sediment and nutrients entering Moreton Bay
- Improve understanding of aquatic asset values of Brisbane's waterways and Moreton Bay
- Reduction in the load of key stormwater pollutants entering the City's waterways
- Improve investment decision making for on-ground works to build resilience of waterways, the river and bay to the impacts of urbanisation, climate change including increased rainfall and flood risk.
Service 1.6.2.1 - Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring
The expenditure on Waterway Human Health and Safety Site Monitoring project for 2014/15 was $80k.
Under the Public Health Act 2005, local governments are responsible for the management of public health risk, including in regard to recreational waters that have the potential to be hazardous to human health. By monitoring water quality at waterway recreation access points and advising the community of the potential resultant risks to health, Council meets its obligations under this Act.
In 2014/15 the city-wide recreational water quality monitoring program included:
- Monitoring of water quality (physio-chemical properties and enterococci bacteria concentration) at 11 locations in the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay and selected creeks.
- Provision of community access to monitoring results.
- Informing and advising the public of potential health risks present at recreational waterway locations.
- Work in conjunction with the Healthy Waterways Partnership and adjacent local governments to participate in the development of a regional monitoring program.
Service 1.6.2.1 - Waterways Health Enhancement (Schedule)
The expenditure on Waterways Health Enhancement projects for 2014/15 was $2,789k.
A number of projects progressed in 2014/15 contributing to the following outcomes:
- Reduced sediment & nutrients into and increase ecological and water quality of Brisbane's waterways and Moreton Bay
- Reduced sediment which is a hazard to seagrass beds of Moreton Bay
- Improve habitat values of Brisbane's Waterways and Moreton Bay
- Reduction in the load of key stormwater pollutants entering the City's waterways
- Improve resilience of waterways, the river and bay to the impacts of urbanisation, climate change including increased rainfall and flood risk.
Service 1.6.2.1 - Improve Ecological Health and Liveability of Waterways
The expenditure on Improve Ecological Health and Liveability of Waterways for 2014/15 was $3.946m. Revenue received was $645k.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:
Stormwater Quality Improvement Device (SQID) Maintenance
The expenditure on SQID Maintenance for 2014/15 was $1.449m.
This activity focuses specifically on the maintenance, rehabilitation and cleansing of SQID’s.
Activities include device maintenance, silt clearing, rubbish and vegetation removal from SQID’s and trash racks in gullies to ensure pollutants do not enter waterways, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.
Erosion & Sediment Control - Residential Building Sites
The expenditure on this project for 2014/15 was $750k. Revenue received was $483k.
This project is an ongoing service to minimise sediment discharge from residential building sites that adversely impact on critical infrastructure including roads, stormwater drains and waterways. The service provides site-based industry education and compliance inspections of building works and enforcement where appropriate. Compliance is measured against current best practice erosion and sediment control standards.
Erosion Sediment and Control - Development Sites
The expenditure on the Erosion Sediment and Control - Development Sites for 2014/15 was $487k. Revenue received $161k.
This project is an ongoing service to minimise sediment discharge from development sites that adversely impact on critical infrastructure including roads, stormwater drains and waterways. The service provides site-based industry education and compliance inspections of development works and enforcement where appropriate. Compliance is measured against current best practice erosion and sediment control standards.
Stormwater and waterway policy, planning, technical studies and management
The expenditure on this project for 2014/15 was $1.260m. Revenue received was $1k.
This project focuses on planning, policy and management to ensure delivery of stormwater services in accordance with environmental, social and economic goals in Council’s WaterSmart Strategy for the city.
Service 1.8.1.1 - Reduce Pollution
The expenditure on Reduce Pollution for 2014/15 was $882k.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:
- Providing specialist scientific air quality, noise management and dangerous goods advice and support to assist with the assessment of complex development applications and to enable delivery of Council wide programs and projects.
- Producing industry environmental guides to provide advice to industry on reducing pollution.
- Coordinating the implementation of the Brisbane Clean Air Strategy.
Service 1.8.2.1 - Closed Landfill Management
The expenditure on Closed Landfill Management projects for 2014/15 was $4.344m. Revenue received was $25k.
The closed landfill maintenance program ensures that all BCC-owned closed landfills are maintained under a risk-based prioritisation system that aims to establish BCC compliance with its Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act. The maintenance program included:
- Landfill gas extraction and flaring from four sites;
- Groundwater and surface water discharge monitoring;
- Leachate collection and disposal system installation and maintenance;
- Site condition audits and environmental risk assessments;
- Landfill cap maintenance;
- On-site emergency works;
- Contaminated site investigations;
- Provision of technical advice to internal and external stakeholders.
Service 1.8.2.1 - Restoration for Recreation
The expenditure on Restoration for Recreation Schedule for 2014/15 was $2.745m.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following sites:
- Cemetery Rd, Upper Kedron (Upper Kedron Recreation Reserve) – construction of a landfill gas interception system.
- Granada St, Wynnum (Elanora Park) – re-profiling, removal of waste and remediation of the coastal foreshore area.
- Lorward Ave, Bardon (Purtell Park) – Stage 2 leachate system installation and connection to sewer.
- Acacia Rd, Karawatha (Karawatha Forest park) – Stage 1 installation of leachate collection system, connection to sewer, and design of Stage 2 capping of top plateau.
- Bacton Rd, Chandler – contaminated land remediation for establishment of new community parkland and playground.
- Riverside Drive, West End (Riverside Drive Parkland) – commencement of stage 2 contaminated site investigations.
- Heroes Ave, Taringa (Jack Cook Park) - Commencement of the landfill compaction, re-capping and sportsfield rehabilitation, stormwater drainage works.
- Various sites – installation of leachate monitoring telemetry systems.
Service 1.8.3.1 - Environmental Licensing and Compliance
The expenditure on Environmental Licensing and Compliance for 2014/15 was $1,518k. Revenue received was $675k.
Expenditure is accounted for across the following areas:
- 240 risk-based environmental audits of licensed industries and permit activities
- Risk-based investigation of 1,670 complaints and pollution incidents
- Enforcement and prosecution of offences.
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GRAPH Actual Expenditure for 2014/15