Item No.	Item Title	Page No.
1	Membership options for Healthy Land and Water the regional Natural Resource Management body for South East Queensland	7
2	Land for Wildlife SEQ Steering Committee Update	26
3	Tender Consideration Plan Paint Product Stewardship Scheme	42
4	Ipswich Eco-Hunt	66

Environment Committee NO. 8

13 August 2019

AGENDA

1. Membership options for Healthy Land and Water the regional Natural Resource Management body for South East Queensland

This is a report concerning Ipswich City Council’s membership for Healthy Land and Water over three years from 1 August 2019 to 30 June 2021. Council’s previous
3 year membership agreement expired on 30 June 2019.

Recommendation

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

A. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) enter into a three year membership funding agreement with Healthy Land and Water for the delivery of their Core Program and the Clean Up Program.

B. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) conduct an annual review of the value for money and applicability of the Core Program, and advise Healthy Land and Water of its continuation or not as per the funding agreement requirements.

C. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) not fund the Water by Design Core Plus program and continues to assess the needs of the organisation in the stormwater management space.

D. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) not fund the Healthy WaterPlay program.

2. Land for Wildlife SEQ Steering Committee Update

At the Council meeting dated 25 June 2019, Council resolved to provide in-principle support to Sunshine Coast Council on the draft Terms of Reference document. These Terms of Reference have since been amended and finalised, and Sunshine Coast Council is now seeking Council’s commitment for a funding contribution of $10,264.05 to the regional coordination of the Land for Wildlife Program for the 2019–2020 financial year.

Recommendation

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) approve funding of $10,264.05 towards the employment of a Regional Coordinator for Land for Wildlife South East Queensland from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, under the finalised Terms of Reference with Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

3. Tender Consideration Plan Paint Product Stewardship Scheme

This is a report concerning the preparation and adoption of a tender consideration plan under section 230 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (Qld) to enable Council to enter into a new contract (that will replace and continue the existing large sized contractual arrangement) with Paintback Limited without complying with the requirements for written tenders under section 228 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (Qld). The adoption of the tender consideration continues the provision of services at no cost to Council under the National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme which has been granted approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Recommendation

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

A. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) prepare a Quote or Tender Consideration Plan for the Disposal and Recycling of Architectural and Decorative Paint in accordance with section 230(1)(a) of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

B. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) adopt the Quote or Tender Consideration Plan for the Disposal and Recycling of Architectural and Decorative Paint as outlined in the report by the Contracts Officer dated 27 June 2019 in accordance with section 230(1)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

C. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) enter into a contract with Paintback Limited for the Disposal and Recycling of Architectural and Decorative Paint on the terms described in the report by the Contracts Officer dated 27 June 2019.

D. That the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to negotiate and finalise the terms of the contract with Paintback Limited to be executed by Council and to do any other acts necessary to implement Council’s decision in accordance with section 13(3) of the Local Government Act 2009.

4. Ipswich Eco-Hunt

This is a report concerning the Ipswich Eco-Hunt that is to run from the
9 September to 7 October 2019. Eco-Hunt is an outdoor experience conducted through a free mobile application; with an aim of increasing the awareness and visitation of Ipswich’s natural areas. Eco-Hunt is used to gather citizen science through a gaming platform.

It is proposed that Council engages the global social enterprise QuestaGame to deliver Eco-Hunt at White Rock Conservation Estate. To incentivise the community to participate in Eco-Hunt, it is also proposed that Council offers prizes that will in turn encourage the community to explore Ipswich’s natural environment.

Recommendation

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

A. That the Ipswich Eco-Hunt event outlined in the report by the Environmental Education Program Officer dated 15 July 2019 be approved to proceed in 2019.

B. That any prizes associated with the Ipswich Eco-Hunt event outlined in the report by the Environmental Education Program Officer dated 15 July 2019 be approved to proceed in 2019.

** Item includes confidential papers

and any other items as considered necessary.

Environment Committee

Meeting Agenda

13 August

2019

Doc ID No: A5612723

ITEM: 1

SUBJECT: Membership options for Healthy Land and Water the regional Natural Resource Management body for South East Queensland

AUTHOR: Acting Principal Officer (Natural Resources)

DATE: 21 June 2019

Executive Summary

This is a report concerning Ipswich City Council’s membership for Healthy Land and Water over three years from 1 August 2019 to 30 June 2021. Council’s previous 3 year membership agreement expired on 30 June 2019.

Recommendation/s

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

D. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) not fund the Healthy WaterPlay program.

RELATED PARTIES

Healthy Land and Water/Water by Design
South East Queensland Council of Mayors
South East Queensland Catchments Members Association

Advance Ipswich Theme Linkage

Caring for the environment

Purpose of Report/Background

Healthy Land and Water is an independent natural resource management body that is focussed on improving and protecting South East Queensland’s environment, catchments and waterways. As a non-government and not for profit organisation they are financially supported through membership contributions, State and Commonwealth Government funding, and grants.

The remit of Healthy Land and Water currently includes:

- Provision of design and best practise stormwater and erosion and sediment control advice for urban stormwater management through the Water By Design Program

- Economic, Social and Ecological monitoring and modelling of catchment values

- Estuarine marine and freshwater environmental condition data collection, storage and provision

- A number of expert panels and the hosting of the South East Queensland Monitoring and Evaluation Steering Committee

- Production and publication of annual report cards and waterway health grades

- Provision of advice and guidance around recreational risk from water quality through the healthy waterway program

Some of these services are provided in the core program – which is covered by the three year membership funding agreement. Other services are provided on a fee-for-service basis, such as the Water by Design program.

Council’s previous membership arrangements with Healthy Land and Water expired on 30 June 2019. This agreement covered the period from 2016 to 2019, at a total membership fee of $224,000.

Due to funding reductions from State and Commonwealth Government, HLW have re-evaluated their funding model which will have an impact on the scope of activities covered under the core program. This is reflected in the funding arrangement. In addition to the core program, members have been requested to nominate which other programs they would like to ‘opt in’ to, such as the Healthy WaterPlay Program. A summary of core program inclusions and exclusions is contained in Attachment 1.

OPTIONS

A summary of the options and the costs are detailed below.

Option 1. Fund the Core Program only – as per the 3-year agreement (Attachment 2).
The core program includes the regional Ecosystems Health Monitoring Program, the annual report card, a base level of `Water by Design’, and Council’s representation on steering groups and panels.

CONTRIBUTION SCHEDULE
FINANCIAL YEAR	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	TOTAL
CORE FUNDING	$77,200	$78,700	$80,420	$236,320

Option 2. Fund the Core Program plus the Clean Up Program – as per the 3-year agreement (Attachment 2).
This includes 18 days of water-based clean up with crews within the navigable reaches of the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers within the Ipswich Local Government Area. Also included is annual reports detailing total (by weight and item) and type of litter collected each year. This option is only available in addition to the core membership.

CONTRIBUTION SCHEDULE
FINANCIAL YEAR	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	TOTAL
CORE FUNDING	$77,200	$78,700	$80,420	$236,320
CLEAN UP PROGRAM	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000	$60,000
ANNUAL TOTALS	$97,200	$98,700	$100,420	$296,320

Option 3. Fund the Water by Design Program extras (Attachment 3).
This was previously included in the Core program, and covered the provision of additional workshops, seminars and assistance in planning and design (2 days) offered to council. This option is an additional $10,000 per annum. Currently, these additional services are considered outside of Council’s current budget allocation and requirements.

Option 4. Fund the Healthy WaterPlay Program
This was previously included in the Core program, and covered committee and working group meetings, and educational materials for waterborne microbial risk to recreational water users. This option is $5,000 per annum, and currently considered outside of Council’s current budget allocation and requirements.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The maximum membership cost for Council including all four options would be $341,320 over 3 years. The Core Program funding including the Clean Up Program is $296,320 over 3 years.

Membership in Healthy Land and Water is a value add proposition, due to the leveraging of funding from a number of other organisations, SEQ local authorities, and State and Commonwealth Government funding.

The minimal investment for Council would be to not invest in any membership options, however this would require the immediate investigation and engagement of alternative services at an unknown, and likely, higher cost.

As the value for money of this and/or possible alternatives have not been fully explored at this stage it would be pertinent to investigate this during the course of the next membership period in order to better inform Council’s options at the next juncture.

Council’s budget for the 2019-2020 Healthy Land and Water membership contribution is $95,000. The proposed contribution for Option 2 is $97,200. The additional $2,200 will be sourced from savings within the integrated water budget.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There is a reputational risk to council in not committing to membership of the Regional NRM body. Currently all other councils in South East Queensland are committed members.

There is risk currently that levels of service are further compromised by continued cuts to the organisation. Council has some surety through the membership agreement.

There is a risk to Council that through not funding the Healthy Land and Water membership and thus excluding Council from the monitoring and reporting tool that, in the absence of any approved alternative, no waterway health or water quality monitoring will occur this year. This will therefore mean that council will not be aware of how the waterway health compares to the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2018) and in turn determine compliance, or otherwise with the Queensland Environmental Protection Policy (Water).

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Not Applicable

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Internal consultation with those staff identified as using or working with Healthy Land and Water took place in light of the service review and prior to that by Healthy Land and Water in the development of the options suite.

Conclusion

Healthy Land and Water are seeking Council’s commitment for membership funding over the next three years for the period from 1 August 2019 to 30 June 2022. Council’s previous three year agreement expired on 30 June 2019.

Healthy Land and Water have presented a membership agreement covering the core and Clean Up programs, to a value of $296,320 over three years. Additional services are provided as optional extras, to a value of $45,000 over the same period. These additional services were previously included in the core program, but have been excluded due to Healthy Land and Water’s financial constraints. Council has the choice of paying for a Core Membership as well as non-core options.

Given uncertainty about the value for money of the ‘extra’ options and weighing this up against reputational and professional risk, it is recommended that Council enters into a three year agreement for the Core and Clean-up programs only and to use this as a transition period to explore alternative options and the value for money benefits.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Healthy Land and Water Membership - Core Deliverables 2019- 2022 ⇩
2.	HLW Network Member Agreement 2019-2022 ⇩
3.	Water By Design - Program deliverables ⇩

Phil Smith

Acting Principal Officer (Natural Resources)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

Sport Recreation and Natural Resources Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

Environment Committee

Meeting Agenda

13 August

2019

Doc ID No: A5653346

ITEM: 2

SUBJECT: Land for Wildlife SEQ Steering Committee Update

AUTHOR: Program Officer (Natural Environment)

DATE: 10 July 2019

Executive Summary

Recommendation

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolves:

RELATED PARTIES

The related parties are Sunshine Coast Council and other local government members of the regional Land for Wildlife Steering Committee.

Advance Ipswich Theme Linkage

Caring for the environment

Purpose of Report/Background

As per the committee report dated 29 May 2019 (Attachment 1), the Interim Administrator resolved that Council would provide in-principle support to Sunshine Coast Council for the draft Terms of Reference document.

The South East Queensland Land for Wildlife Steering Committee has since reviewed the Terms of Reference document (Attachment 2) to contain the following changes:

Addition of Clause 4c:

Each Participating Council will be entitled to vote on Steering Committee matters if:

· They are listed as a Participating Council in clause 4(a).

· They have paid their Contribution to the Sponsoring Council as per clause 5(c).

· They do not hold a Conflicting Interest as per clause 7.9(b).

· They are not considered a defaulting Participating Council as per clause 8(a).

Movement of Clause 8c dot point 4 to Clause 4d, being:

Each Participating Council has a right to participate pursuant to the ToR, including that its Representative:

· Is entitled to be counted in establishing a quorum for a meeting.

· Is entitled to vote on any resolution.

· Is entitled to sign a circulating resolution.

· Is entitled to receive and participate in all communications.

Both of these changes outline when a Council is entitled to vote and when they are not.

As identified in section 5 of the Terms of Reference, each participating council is requested to pay their financial contribution to the Sponsoring Council (being: Sunshine Coast Council) by the 30 September 2019.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

Council contribution for 2019-2020 is $10,264.05. The 2019-2020 budget for regional Land for Wildlife is $15,000 and will cover this contribution.

The proposed expenditure will benefit Council and the Land for Wildlife program in Ipswich as regional coordination of the program saves officer time, improves the quality of the program delivery and increases program efficiency.

Table 1. Costs per Council for the regional coordination and employment of a regional coordinator

SEQ Council	1 FTE for 12m (19/20 fy)	Operational Costs	Total Contribution for 19/20
Brisbane	$ 18,668.96	$ 10,560.00	$ 29,228.96
Sunshine Coast	$ 28,003.44	$ 13,040.00	$ 41,043.44
Gold Coast	$ 11,668.10	$ 5,980.00	$ 17,648.10
Ipswich	$ 5,834.05	$ 4,430.00	$ 10,264.05
Lockyer Valley	$ 4,667.25	$ 2,840.00	$ 7,507.25
Logan	$ 7,000.86	$ 4,740.00	$ 11,740.86
Moreton Bay	$ 16,335.34	$ 7,220.00	$ 23,555.34
Noosa	$ 8,167.67	$ 3,770.00	$ 11,937.67
Redland	$ 4,667.24	$ 4,120.00	$ 8,787.24
Scenic Rim	$ 8,167.67	$ 3,770.00	$ 11,937.67
Somerset	$ 3,500.43	$ 2,530.00	$ 6,030.43
11 LG’s	$ 116,681.01	$ 63,000.00	$ 179,681.01

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Council’s legal advice determined that the amended document is satisfactory from a legal perspective, and that there is low risk with the Terms of Reference document. Consequently, there is very low risk in the implementation of the recommendations within this report.

To meet the terms contained within the Terms of Reference, Council is required to pay a contribution of $10,264.05 to Sunshine Coast Council by 30 September 2019.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Local Government Act 2009

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

Consultation has occurred with the regional Land for Wildlife Steering Committee Members, as well as internal consultation with relevant council officers and legal team.

Conclusion

The South East Queensland Land for Wildlife Steering Committee has amended and finalised the Terms of Reference for the coordination of the Land for Wildlife program, including the employment of a regional coordinator. Council previously resolved to provide in-principle support for the Terms of Reference at the Council meeting on 25 June 2019. This report presents the final Terms of Reference and a financial contribution commitment for Council of $10,264.05 towards the regional Land for Wildlife program from 1 July 2019 - 30 June 2020.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Committee Report dated 29 May 2019 ⇩
2.	Land for Wildlife Amended Terms of Reference document ⇩

Danielle Andlemac

Program Officer (Natural Environment)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Phil Smith

Acting Principal Officer (Natural Resources)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

Sport Recreation and Natural Resources Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

Environment Committee

Meeting Agenda

13 August

2019

Doc ID No: A5624689

ITEM: 3

SUBJECT: Tender Consideration Plan Paint Product Stewardship Scheme

AUTHOR: Contracts Officer

DATE: 27 June 2019

Executive Summary

RECOMMENDATION

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

B. That Council (Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council) adopt the Quote or Tender Consideration Plan for the Disposal and Recycling of Architectural and Decorative Paint as outlined in the report by the Contracts Officer dated 27 June 2019 in accordance with section 230(1)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

D. That the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to negotiate and finalise the terms of the contract with Paintback Limited to be executed by Council and to do any other acts necessary to implement Council’s decision in accordance with section 13(3) of the Local Government Act 2009.

RELATED PARTIES

The Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation (APMF) was granted authorisation (by the ACCC) on behalf of itself (Paintback Limited) and certain paint manufacturers/importers (together, the Applicants) to impose a levy of up to 15 cents per litre on the supply of certain architectural and decorative paint and woodcare products (the Scheme). The levy is part of a National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme which provides a nationally co-ordinated approach for the collection, recycling and environmentally friendly management of liquid architectural and decorative paints (A&D).

Paintback Limited’s founding members are Dulux, Haymes, PPG, Resene and The Sherwin-Williams Company. Paintback Limited is the only provider of this free service under the National Paint Product Steward Ship Scheme.

Advance Ipswich Theme Linkage

Caring for the environment

Purpose of Report/Background

The ACCC noted in its determination in granting Paintback Limited authorisation of the Scheme that the “ACCC considers that the introduction of the Scheme as funded through the levy is thereby likely to produce environmental benefits by increasing the collection of waste A&D paint in Australia and reducing its improper disposal. There are also likely to be cost efficiencies from decreasing the cost of disposal of waste A&D paint in Australia.”

Prior to the scheme and the current site services agreement with Paintback Limited, the disposal of A&D paint from Council’s transfer stations was at a cost of approximately $252,000 per annum. The current site services agreement is at no cost to Council. One of the aims of the scheme established under the ACCC determination (A91504) is to contract with state, territory and local governments and waste service providers for the removal, safe and proper disposal and recycling of A&D paint at no cost to these government bodies.

The existing contract, 16-17-055, had an initial term of two (2) years with the option for one (1) extension of one (1) year. This extension, the only extension, has been exercised and the contract expires 31 August 2019. Council requires a new arrangement for the proper disposal and recycling of A&D paint.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

By preparing and adopting the Tender Consideration Plan and entering into a new contractual arrangement with Paintback Limited, there will be no financial or resource implications. There are no proposed changes to the current contractual or operational arrangements that are already in place.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There are no risks associated with adopting the tender consideration plan.

If the tender consideration plan is not adopted, the alternative, or any alternative, is most likely to be at an additional cost to Council in excess of approximately $252,000 (2015-2016) per annum for the service.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Local Government Regulation 2012

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

There has been no direct community consultation however Paintback Limited promote the scheme nationally in various forms of media with locations of collection sites participating in the scheme.

There has additionally been internal consultation with Ipswich Waste Services Personnel regarding the performance of the current contractual arrangement / site services agreement. Ipswich Waste Services have advised (March 2019) that the current contract, 16-17-055, is operationally performing well overall and meeting Council’s A&D paint disposal requirements.

Conclusion

The proposed contract duration will run parallel with the ACCC determination permitting the National Paint Product Stewardship Scheme. Therefore the contract expiry, under the new contract, will be 31 August 2021. ACCC determination number A91504 is attached: refer to Attachment 1.

By adopting the Tender Consideration Plan and entering into a new contractual arrangement with Paintback Limited for the removal, safe and proper disposal and recycling of A&D paint from Council’s Riverview Transfer Station, at no cost to Council. Alternative options will have financial implication for Council.

By preparing and adopting the Tender Consideration Plan Council will meet its regulatory obligations under s 230 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (Qld) in entering into a new contract with Paintback Limited.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	ACCC Determination A91504 Paintback ⇩
2.	Tender Consideration Plan Paintback ⇩

Mark Benson

Contracts Officer

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Stephen Bailey

Principal Officer (Procurement and Contract Operations)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

Sport Recreation and Natural Resources Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

Environment Committee

Meeting Agenda

13 August

2019

Doc ID No: A5660920

ITEM: 4

SUBJECT: Ipswich Eco-Hunt

AUTHOR: Program Officer (Environmental Education)

DATE: 15 July 2019

Executive Summary

This is a report concerning the Ipswich Eco-Hunt that is to run from the 9 September to 7 October 2019. Eco-Hunt is an outdoor experience conducted through a free mobile application; with an aim of increasing the awareness and visitation of Ipswich’s natural areas. Eco-Hunt is used to gather citizen science through a gaming platform.

Recommendation/s

That the Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council resolve:

A. That the Ipswich Eco-Hunt event outlined in the report by the Environmental Education Program Officer dated 15 July 2019 be approved to proceed in 2019.

B. That any prizes associated with the Ipswich Eco-Hunt event outlined in the report by the Environmental Education Program Officer dated 15 July 2019 be approved to proceed in 2019.

RELATED PARTIES

Andrew Robinson (Director and Chief Engineer of QuestaGame)

Mallika Robinson (CFO of QuestaGame)

Advance Ipswich Theme Linkage

Caring for the environment

Caring for the community

Purpose of Report/Background

The Ipswich Eco-Hunt will provide an alternative to the previously ran Enviroplan Photo Competition. As well as assisting with increased community engagement, capacity and connectivity with the natural environment in accordance with the Nature Conservation Strategy, and achieving the Enviroplan objective – ‘Inspire a more environmentally active and aware community’. The event will offer community members and visitors the opportunity to participate in an outdoor learning experience which is educational, informative and unique.

The aim is to encourage all budding naturalists of all ages (community members and visitors), to come and explore Ipswich’s natural areas. With their ‘mission’ being to map the life of White Rock Conservation Estate and to find as many birds, butterflies, spiders, plants and any other creatures that might be living in the estate. This will be achieved through the use of a mobile application called QuestaGame which players will use as a tool to participate in the Ipswich Eco-Hunt.

QuestaGame is a free mobile application (app) that is available for download on all mobile devices. The app allows players to take and upload photos of flora and fauna species, then identify what themselves and other players have found. The use of this app shows the community that we are adapting and responding to technological advances that benefit the environment and scientific research. Correct species identified will then contribute to real research and conservation through the form of data on the Atlas of Living Australia website. The citizen science aspect of this event also adds to the aims of the State Government vision of creating a Queensland population that engages in and recognises, supports and advocates for science.

It is proposed that participants of this event will be eligible for prizes based on the categories outlined in Attachment 1. Prizes have been recommended by the Director of QuestaGame as a way to incentivise players to participate. The relevant policy has been reviewed and prizes have been chosen based on this, as well as examples from other organisations who have run ‘Eco-Hunts’.

This event has been successfully run by Sunshine Coast Council on an annual basis since 2017. Experience feedback in relation to success and issues has been sought from their event organiser during the planning process. Sunshine Coast has reported that “we drew record numbers to the site in the first year and each year we run this event we see nearly double the number of people visiting the wetlands compared to the previous year”.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The expected cost of QuestaGame is $3,000. This is contained within the environmental education budget for 2019-2020. There is only one-off costs and no ongoing subscription costs to run the project.

This project requires the resources from a Marketing Officer, Environmental Education Officers and Conservation Visitor Management Officer. Each officer will need to dedicate approximately 1-8 hours per week for the promotional and event period.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

The proposed site for the event is White Rock Conservation Estate which has been identified to have a number of physical risks. A site risk assessment will need to be completed prior to the event proceeding.

Risks around players not staying on the designated footpaths has been reduced through being able to add our own requirements to the QuestaGame app. Two features will be added whereby players will receive a notification when arriving on site to follow all signage and to keep to the paths, along with the boundaries for the game being restricted to 1 metre either side of designated footpaths. Extra event information signage will also be placed around the site with event details and safety messages.

This event provides an opportunity for community members and visitors of all ages and abilities to gain awareness, and increase their use of Ipswich’s natural environments. Previously, the Enviroplan Photo Competition had aimed to fulfil these objectives, but the event has been removed from the calendar of environmental events. Therefore there may be a risk of not providing enough opportunities if the Ipswich Eco-Hunt was not undertaken.

After the 2019 event has concluded, a review will be undertaken to ensure that the event is providing the best alternative to engage the community in experiencing the natural environment.

Legal/Policy Basis

This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:

Local Government Act 2009

Local Government Regulation 2012

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

No formal or direct community consultation has been done in relation to this event. However, this event was developed on the back of the Enviroplan Photo Competition being removed from the calendar of events, and the results of the 2018 survey of participants from this competition. Survey results showed that the format of that event was not successful in increasing awareness or visitation to Ipswich’s natural areas.

Face-to-face communication with participants at other Council environmental events has occurred. Feedback from community members included more opportunities for families to participate together in events, providing events that were free or low cost and difficulties with getting children outdoors due to a fixation with technology. The question was then raised as to whether incorporating technology with outdoor experiences would be deemed suitable by parents, most were interested to try something that ticked both boxes.

All relevant departments within Council have been consulted on the event and direction of the event in meeting set objectives. No objections or major concerns were raised for this event.

Conclusion

Council aims to increase education, awareness and use of Ipswich’s natural areas in the community through the Ipswich Eco-Hunt. This event will provide an opportunity for the community to contribute to research through participating in a citizen science event that uses mobile technology. Incentivising players will encourage the community to regularly spend longer within our natural areas during the event period, and at the same time gain invaluable skills that will assist them in becoming environmental stewards within our community.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.	Proposed Categories and Prizes ⇩

Sienna Harris

Program Officer (Environmental Education)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

Principal Officer (Natural Resources)

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”