More than $8.8 million in environmental projects and services were delivered through Logan City Council’s Environmental Levy in 2018/19.
The latest Environmental Levy annual report shows Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting and improving the environment through a wide range of initiatives and actions to sustain and enhance the city’s natural bushland and waterways and the animals and plants that live within them.
The Environmental Levy, collected through Council rates, was first introduced in 1991.
Logan City Council Director Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen, said the 20-page 2018/19 annual report reflected the high priority Council continues to place on the environment.
“Environmental Levy funds are helping to safeguard our city’s biodiversity and enhance our green corridors,” he said.
“Levy-funded projects also protect local wildlife and threatened species and ensure our waterways are healthy.
“Many of Council’s environmental programs are ongoing which will ensure our natural environments are protected and enhanced for future generations.”
Significant projects undertaken in 2018/19 that were funded by the Environmental Levy included:
- $3.27 million on bushland maintenance and BushCare
- $2.75 million for the Logan and Albert River Visions, the Slacks Creek Recovery Plan, koala conservation and flying fox management
- $1 million on conservation and environmental programs and events including Logan Eco Action Festival (LEAF), EnviroGrants and rural landholder engagement
- $850,000 on environmental park enhancement
- $384,650 on aquatic and environmental weed control
The City of Logan has 415 environmentally significant parks and natural areas which cover more than 5200 hectares.
More than 7862 native plants were established in these areas; 80 Richmond Birdwing Butterfly vines were planted to add to more than 230 existing vines; and, an additional 25 nest-boxes were installed on top of 237 Council managed nest boxes already in operation.
Weed treatment took place at over 1430 properties throughout the city.
In 2018/19, Council delivered more than 30 environmental workshops and activities and distributed $216,000 to the community under the EnviroGrants program.
There are 15 registered BushCare groups and one TrailCare group, with 156 volunteers involved in both programs.
More than 310 properties are now registered for the Land for Wildlife program and 30 properties have signed up for the new Habitat Connections program.
Council also supported the Logan Animal Ambulance which made 3067 wildlife rescues in 2018/19 with 26 per cent of rescued wildlife being rehabilitated and released back into the environment.
To view the Environmental Levy annual report 2018/19 go to logan.qld.gov.au
