11 August 2022

Environment and Sustainability Committee NO. 2022(07)]

 

 

Environment and Sustainability Committee NO. 2022(07)

 

11 August 2022

 

Report

COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE:        Councillor Russell Milligan (Chairperson); Councillors Andrew Fechner (Deputy Chairperson), Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Jacob Madsen and Kate Kunzelmann

COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES:            Nil

OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE:                Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Infrastructure and Environment (Sean Madigan), General Manager Community, Cultural and Environment (Ben Pole), General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services (Peter Tabulo), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), Senior Digital Media and Content Manager (Jodie Richter), Senior Policy and Communications Officer (David Shaw), Natural Environment and Land Manager (Phil A Smith), Team Leader (Strategic Catchment and Conservation Planning) (Belinda Whelband), Project Officer (Natural Environment) (Carmel O’Neill), Procurement Manager (Richard White) and Theatre Technician (Harrison Cate)

 

 

 WELCOME TO COUNTRY/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Councillor Russell Milligan (Chairperson) delivered the Acknowledgement of Country.

 

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA

 

Nil

 

 

BUSINESS OUTSTANDING

 

Nil

 

 


 

Confirmation of Minutes

 

1.           Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee No. 2022(06) of 14 July 2022

RECOMMENDATION

Moved by Councillor Kate Kunzelmann:

Seconded by Mayor Teresa Harding:

That the Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee held on 14 July 2022 be confirmed.

 

AFFIRMATIVE                    NEGATIVE

Councillors:                      Councillors:

Milligan                                    Nil

Fechner

Harding

Madsen

Kunzelmann

 

The motion was put and carried.

 

Officers’ Reports

 

2.           Urban Greening Plan

This is a report concerning the final submission of the City of Ipswich Urban Greening Plan 2021-2026 (Attachment 1) to Council for adoption. The intention of this Urban Greening Plan is to set an informed and evidence-based direction in achieving increased vegetation cover in priority areas within the urban footprint of Ipswich to best achieve the multiple benefits associated with increasing urban green space and canopy.

RECOMMENDATION

Moved by Councillor Andrew Fechner:

Seconded by Councillor Kate Kunzelmann:

***        That the Urban Greening Plan as presented in Attachment 1 be adopted as a key deliverable for iFuture 2021-2026 under the Theme: Natural and Sustainable.

 

AFFIRMATIVE                    NEGATIVE

Councillors:                      Councillors:

Milligan                                    Nil

Fechner

Harding

Madsen

Kunzelmann

 

The motion was put and carried.

 

3.           Results of 2021-2022 Platypus Monitoring Program

This is a report concerning the results of Ipswich City Council’s 2021-2022 platypus monitoring program. This sampling represents the sixth platypus monitoring event Council has undertaken across the city’s waterways in the last seven (7) years. The on-going program aims to inform our understanding of the distribution of platypus in the city’s waterways, and to detect any changes or impacts to their populations. This year’s results indicated a severe decline in local platypus populations, which is concerning and emphasises some key threats to the health of our waterways, and the importance of Council’s on-going monitoring and waterway improvement programs.

RECOMMENDATION

Moved by Councillor Andrew Fechner:

Seconded by Councillor Kate Kunzelmann:

A.           That Council investigate and support programs for reducing sediment-laden runoff entering our natural waterways and adversely impacting platypus habitat.

B.           That Council continue to deliver the on-going annual platypus monitoring program, as well as waterway health projects to improve water quality and habitat condition to protect the city’s remaining few platypus populations.

 

AFFIRMATIVE                    NEGATIVE

Councillors:                      Councillors:

Milligan                                    Nil

Fechner

Harding

Madsen

Kunzelmann

 

The motion was put and carried.

 

4.           Resolution to close public land - 2022-2023 Fire season fuel reduction program

This is a report concerning the management of public access and closure of White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, Flinders – Goolman Conservation Estate, Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate and Hillview Drive Reserve for reasons of public safety during controlled burning fuel reduction activities and the enactment of powers under Section 10 (1) of Local Law 7.

RECOMMENDATION

Moved by Councillor Andrew Fechner:

Seconded by Councillor Kate Kunzelmann:

That Council resolve to exercise the power under section 10(1) of Local Law 7 to close public access to areas of Council’s Natural Area Estates to enable a planned schedule of hazard reduction burns occurring between 26 August 2022 and 30 June 2023 within three (3) Council conservation estates, being White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, Flinders – Goolman Conservation Estate, and Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate plus one (1) reserve being Hillview Drive Reserve.

 

AFFIRMATIVE                    NEGATIVE

Councillors:                      Councillors:

Milligan                                    Nil

Fechner

Harding

Madsen

Kunzelmann

 

The motion was put and carried.

 

5.           Proposal for renewing Resilient Rivers Bremer River Catchment Officer hosted as a Partnership between Scenic Rim and Ipswich City Council

This is a report concerning the renewal of the existing partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council and the South East Queensland Council of Mayors (CoMSEQ) through the Resilient Rivers Initiative (RRI), to financially support the continuation of the Bremer River Catchment Management Officer role.

RECOMMENDATION

Moved by Councillor Andrew Fechner:

Seconded by Mayor Teresa Harding:

A.           That Ipswich City Council provide financial support of $30,000 for the continuation of the Bremer River Catchment Management Officer role in partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council.

B.           That Council renew the partnership agreement with Scenic Rim Regional Council and South East Queensland Council of Mayors (CoMSEQ), outlining the terms and desired outcomes of the funding arrangement.

 

AFFIRMATIVE                    NEGATIVE

Councillors:                      Councillors:

Milligan                                    Nil

Fechner

Harding

Madsen

Kunzelmann

 

The motion was put and carried.

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

Nil

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

Nil

 

 

PROCEDURAL MOTIONS AND FORMAL MATTERS

The meeting commenced at 11.19 am.

The meeting closed at 11.41 am.

 

 

*** Refer Council Ordinary Meeting of 25 August 2022 for amendment