How you’re helping to protect our environment

Your Environment Levy is helping deliver land for conservation, land restoration from our rocky shores to the hinterland, programs to foster stewardship and much more across the Sunshine Coast.

The $82 Environment Levy, paid through rates by every property owner in our region, enables Council to invest in a range of environmental programs and projects to deliver a healthy natural environment.

These projects have been showcased through Council’s Environment Levy Annual Report 2023-24, sharing environmental outcomes achieved through an investment of more than $11.8 million.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said the levy’s “cornerstone” land acquisition program had enabled three land purchases across the year.

These were in Peregian Beach (jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government), Mount Mellum and Ilkley with a total of $3.74 million invested.

“These strategic land purchases protect important sites for threatened species, contribute to strengthening our biodiversity corridors and preserve healthy natural areas,” Cr Burns said.

“Since the program began, the levy has enabled Council to purchase and protect 4,235 hectares for conservation.

“The levy also enables Council to maintain this expansive amount of land through operations like habitat restoration, fire management and threatened species research.”

Fellow Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said fostering stewardship in the community was a key objective of the program and community partners were essential in supporting a healthy natural environment.

“We would like to acknowledge the efforts of students, landholders, community groups and volunteers who dedicate their time and energy in protecting our environment,” Cr Suarez said.

“These actions are making a real difference in supporting our biodiversity, waterway and coastal health as well as our region’s liveability.

“In our Sunshine Coast Biosphere, this action for the environment has flow-on benefits through our interconnected communities and economy, contributing to a brighter future for everyone.”

Meanwhile, more than $1 million was spent on coastal protection works and dune rehabilitation and $1.1 million on action against invasive species.

Cr Burns said key iconic or threatened species were among the winners in this year’s levy program.

“This year we’ve had especially positive outcomes for koalas, kangaroos and other macropods, flying foxes and shorebirds,” Cr Burns said.

“That’s through initiatives like restoring key habitat sites, engaging in research, improving fauna crossings and signage, funding local wildlife care groups, and raising awareness about threats to our wildlife and how we can all help to conserve them.”

Explore the Environment Levy Annual Report 2023-24 on Council’s website.

By the numbers: what your Environment Levy funded in 2023-24

Highlights from across the year include

• 34,000 seedlings planted and 87 nest boxes installed on Land for Wildlife properties
• 185 hectares purchased for conservation (including more than 150 hectares purchased in partnership with Queensland Government), bringing our region’s total conservation estate to 4235 hectares
• more than 6000 visitors to the Coastal Discovery Van
• developing the Bats in Backyards and Naturewatch Sunshine Coast citizen science programs
• more than 11,000 trees planted in reserves by community and corporate partners.