How you are helping support our environmental volunteers

Thanks to ratepayers who contribute to Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment Levy Partnership Funding Program, 22 dedicated community groups will receive a share of $635,500 annually for the next three years.

Precious areas and wildlife will be better protected after the awarding of vital funding to a range of Sunshine Coast community groups.

This support empowers them to continue their vital work protecting our natural treasures.

With this three-year partnership, these groups can now plan for the future with confidence and build even greater capacity to make a lasting impact. Year two and three funding is subject to completion of a yearly progress report and the adoption of Council’s annual Environment Levy budget.

Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability joint portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the funding would go towards operational expenses and allow volunteers to continue providing valuable support to our wildlife and environment.

Cr Suarez said it would also support the delivery of the Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy.

“We are very grateful for the commitment and dedication of these groups and their members to our region and Sunshine Coast Biosphere,” Cr Suarez said.

“Last financial year, 4416 volunteers from our 19 partner groups donated more than 360,000 hours of their own time to improve our environment and look after our wildlife.

“Amazingly, this equates to more than $15.5 million in contributions towards our environment.

“That shows the value of the Environment Levy right there – as this grant program would not be possible without the contributions made by Sunshine Coast property owners through their rate payments.”

^{Bat Rescue Inc will receive financial support to continue delivering flying-fox education to support the Regional Flying Fox Management Plan.}

Which groups will benefit

This year, 19 continuing and three new partnerships were approved at Council’s August Ordinary Meeting.

Wildlife SEQ Inc, Rotary Club of Nambour Inc and Coastal Community Native Nursery Inc are new to the Environment Levy Partnerships Funding program.

Returning partners include: Reef Check Foundation (Reef Check Australia), Night Eyes Association Inc, Wildlife Volunteers Association Incorporated (WILVOS), Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens Inc., Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Inc., Mooloolah River Waterwatch and Landcare, Mary River Catchment Coordination Association (Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee), ECOllaboration Ltd, Currimundi Catchment Care Group Inc, Barung Landcare Association Inc, Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue Inc, Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group, Bat Rescue Inc, Wildlife Warriors, Coolum District Coast Care Group Inc., Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network, Wildcare Australia Inc, Hinterland Bush Links, and Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland - Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc

Environment and Liveability joint portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said the partner groups activities complemented and supported the work Council did in environmental and wildlife conservation.

“Thanks to the funding, these groups can continue to support, rescue and nurse our native animals back to health or restore and preserve our waterways and hinterland and coastal environments,” Cr Burns said.

“Groups like Bat Rescue Inc - who deliver flying-fox education at schools and events, take a lead role in the management of catastrophic heat events and advocate for flying-fox conservation in the community which complements the work Council does through its Regional Flying-fox Management Plan.”

Support for saving vulnerable wildlife

“Another example is the Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network who partnered with Council to develop and maintain the Koala Fodder Plantation at Pinelands Drive Park to supply foliage for the rehabilitation and care of injured and orphaned koalas, which supports Council’s Koala Conservation Plan,” Cr Burns said.

Register for the Sunshine Coast Koala Forum

“Over the coming years, Council officers will work collaboratively with these successful partner organisations to ensure that this ratepayer investment delivers great environmental outcome for the regions.

“Most importantly, these partnerships are about Council working with our community to protect and enhance our natural environment as we continue to build a pathway to a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast.”

For further information about Council’s partnerships and grants programs, visit Council’s website https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/Grants-and-Funding/Grants-Programs/Environment-Levy-Grants/Environment-Levy-Partnerships.

Here are the 22 applications recommended for three-year partnership with funding of $635,000 per year approved.

Organisation	Partnership summary	Partnership duration	Total for partnership duration	Division
Reef Check Foundation (Reef Check Australia)	Reef Check Australia is seeking support for two project components: 1) Reef Check Australia reef health monitoring on the Sunshine Coast (Mudjimba to Caloundra) conducted by trained volunteers to collect locally relevant, globally standardised reef health information; 2) Training and activities for Sunshine Coast residents, increasing community participation and marine stewardship.	3 years	$101,970	Div. 4, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Night Eyes Association Inc	Night Eyes has been operating in the Pumicestone Passage since 1999. They contribute to litter collection and waterway health management of Pumicestone Passage and its foreshores from Coochin Creek to the northern tip of Bribie Island.	3 years	$55,620	Div. 1, Div. 2
Wildlife Volunteers Association Incorporated (WILVOS)	Group operate a 24-hour Hotline for orphaned and injured wildlife. Wildlife will be rescued and transported to veterinary care when needed or taken into care by a licenced wildlife rehabilitator.	3 years	$30,000	Div. 10, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens Inc.	Friends of MRBBG collaborates with Council seeking to achieve a 'world-class botanic gardens for the Sunshine Coast'. The group is a conduit between Council and Community, delivering community engagement and education initiatives and partnering with stakeholders.	3 years	$36,000	Div. 5
Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Inc.	This group runs the Florabunda community nursery, which is open to the public five days per week. They provide local native plants and advice on creek and habitat restoration, weed control, erosion control and species selection. Also, this group partner with Council on a number of environmental programs including the Land for Wildlife Incentives and Bushcare programs.	3 years	$52,500	Div. 5
Mooloolah River Waterwatch and Landcare	A well-established community group dedicated to the health, protection and enhancement of the Mooloolah River. Operates a Native Plant Nursery and the Sunshine Coast Bio-control Facility; monitors water quality; fosters community engagement and promotes science-based actions by well-informed citizens as champions for the Mooloolah River.	3 years	$182,310	Div. 5
Mary River Catchment Coordination Association (Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee)	The MRCCC has been operating within the Mary River catchment since 1993. The group aims to achieve an informed community with an ethic of care for exceptional land and water management by supporting the development of on-ground projects, providing activities/events/materials and sharing knowledge.	3 years	$207,000	Div. 5, Div. 10
ECOllaboration Ltd	ECOllaboration delivers a range of on-ground community initiatives, landowner engagement and field opportunities for local residents to engage with the conservation of the local environment. This partnership will support the long-term activities that ECOllaboration has been providing for many years, including community water monitoring, amphibian monitoring, River Patrol and education/services to local schools.	3 years	$166,860	Div. 10, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Currimundi Catchment Care Group Inc	Established community group that operates within the Currimundi catchment and aims to limit erosion, improve water quality and protect the environment. Activities include family friendly events, education, advocacy and a quarterly newsletter with significant distribution.	3 years	$38,700	Div. 3
Barung Landcare Association Inc	Provides a range of initiatives including growing and distributing native plants via a community nursery, education programs, bush regeneration and advice for landholders and gardeners.	3 years	$207,000	Div. 5
Coastal Community Native Nursery Inc	This group operates a community native nursery and provides advice and support to the local community about plant species choice and weed control. Also partners with Council on a number of environmental programs and events, e.g. Land for Wildlife Incentives, Bushcare, Garden Expo, Wildflower Festival, etc.	3 years	$63,000	Div. 8
Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue Inc	This group provides a 24-hour rescue and rehabilitation service for sick and injured water birds on the Sunshine Coast. A minor increase to existing partnership amount is recommended in line with available budget.	3 years	$46,350	Div. 1
Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group	Group focused on reducing risks to water quality in the Lake Baroon catchment by implementing projects addressing erosion, nutrients and pathogens, including on-ground works, education and awareness events.	3 years	$160,650	Div. 5
Bat Rescue Inc	This group provides a 24/7 service for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Australian native bats. Also conduct educational talks and participate in display events to educate the general public about the importance of bats in our ecology and how to help with conservation efforts to protect the local species.	3 years	$30,000	Div. 5, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Wildlife Warriors	Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital provides emergency and rehabilitation care for all species of injured, orphaned and abandoned wildlife, free of charge to Sunshine Coast residents.	3 years	$120,000	Div. 1, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Coolum District Coast Care Group Inc.	Coastal environmental protection and restoration. On ground projects include dune and bushland weed control and habitat restoration; biodiversity enhancement such as nest box installation and monitoring; fauna and flora surveys; feral animal control; marine turtle monitoring; data collection and reporting; marine debris surveys and analysis; community education; environmental advocacy; and citizen science projects.	3 years	$114,330	Div. 8, Div. 9
Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network	GMAN will actively maintain the Koala Food Tree Plantation established in Pinelands Drive Park. The purpose of the plantation is to supply foliage for the rehabilitation and care of injured and orphaned koalas. This foliage is collected and supplied to Endeavour Veterinary Ecology, Wildlife HQ, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and Koala Action Inc.	3 years	$15,000	Div. 1
Wildlife SEQ Inc	This group provides rehabilitation and release services to the native wildlife within the Sunshine Coast region.	3 years	$23,700	Div. 5, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Wildcare Australia Inc	Wildcare Australia is a wildlife rescue / carer organisation that has been operating in the South-East Queensland area since 1994. In more recent years they have expanded their operation into the Sunshine Coast Council region and now provide a rescue and rehabilitation service of sick and injured koalas and other wildlife in the area.	3 years	$16,500	Div. 5, Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region
Hinterland Bush Links	This group provides on ground assistance to landholders working for the long-term conservation of all native species, regional ecosystems and ecological processes in the Sunshine Coast region through the Roving Restorers, Upper Mary Valley Weed Vine project and other activities.	3 years	$120,510	Div. 5
Rotary Club of Nambour Inc.	This group will establish and maintain the Spring Pastures Drive Koala Fodder Plantation of 550 selected koala food trees.	3 years	$13,500	Div. 10
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland - Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc	This group delivers the Faunawatch Sunshine Coast program aimed at monitoring and evaluating the presence of fauna at strategic and wider locations across the Sunshine Coast region and supplying this information to the Sunshine Coast Council and interested environmental groups. Program includes community education, Citizen Science promotion, and conduction of fauna surveys in public spaces and Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement properties.	3 years	$105,000	Across the whole Sunshine Coast Region