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Environment Levy

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This consultation has concluded.

When you tell people you live in the Southern Highlands, what response do you get? Usually it is related to how lucky you are to be surrounded by all those trees, fresh air, beautiful landscape, and the bountiful opportunities to get close to nature.

Unfortunately, it has only been in the last ten years or so that we have realised how much work we need to put in to both preserve these features, and fix what we have neglected in the past.

In 2000 Wingecarribee Shire Council, in consultation with the community, introduced the Environment Levy to do just that: maintain river health, remove weeds, regenerate the bush, rehabilitate the riverine corridor, control sediment and erosion, restore degraded land, and conserve and enhance natural biodiversity.

Eleven years on, much has been achieved, not only by Council but also as a result of the thousands of hours volunteers have contributed to environmental works.

The benefits have been enormous however all of this work needs to be maintained and there is a lot more that needs to be done. The current Environmental Levy was approved for 5 years and is due to expire in June 2013. Council is applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) early in 2012 to seek approval for continued collection of the levy.

Council has developed a number of options concerning the future funding of environmental works, and is now seeking community comment for inclusion in its application to IPART.

Have your say. We need you to be involved in this important community decision and encourage you to:

  • Read the information kit and FAQS
  • Consider the impact on residential, business and farmland rates
  • Add your comments to the discussion topics below
  • Make a submission via email or in writing to Wingecarribee Shire Council
  • Join our ENVIRO eNEWSletter
  • Add your preference to the quick poll

When you tell people you live in the Southern Highlands, what response do you get? Usually it is related to how lucky you are to be surrounded by all those trees, fresh air, beautiful landscape, and the bountiful opportunities to get close to nature.

Unfortunately, it has only been in the last ten years or so that we have realised how much work we need to put in to both preserve these features, and fix what we have neglected in the past.

In 2000 Wingecarribee Shire Council, in consultation with the community, introduced the Environment Levy to do just that: maintain river health, remove weeds, regenerate the bush, rehabilitate the riverine corridor, control sediment and erosion, restore degraded land, and conserve and enhance natural biodiversity.

Eleven years on, much has been achieved, not only by Council but also as a result of the thousands of hours volunteers have contributed to environmental works.

The benefits have been enormous however all of this work needs to be maintained and there is a lot more that needs to be done. The current Environmental Levy was approved for 5 years and is due to expire in June 2013. Council is applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) early in 2012 to seek approval for continued collection of the levy.

Council has developed a number of options concerning the future funding of environmental works, and is now seeking community comment for inclusion in its application to IPART.

Have your say. We need you to be involved in this important community decision and encourage you to:

  • Read the information kit and FAQS
  • Consider the impact on residential, business and farmland rates
  • Add your comments to the discussion topics below
  • Make a submission via email or in writing to Wingecarribee Shire Council
  • Join our ENVIRO eNEWSletter
  • Add your preference to the quick poll
Discussions: All (6) Open (0)

  • What do you think about maintaining the current level of environmental services?

    over 12 years ago
    Share What do you think about maintaining the current level of environmental services? on Facebook Share What do you think about maintaining the current level of environmental services? on Twitter Share What do you think about maintaining the current level of environmental services? on Linkedin Email What do you think about maintaining the current level of environmental services? link
    15 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Are we doing enough or could we do more?

  • Do you support an application for a permanent environment levy? Why?

    over 12 years ago
    Share Do you support an application for a permanent environment levy? Why? on Facebook Share Do you support an application for a permanent environment levy? Why? on Twitter Share Do you support an application for a permanent environment levy? Why? on Linkedin Email Do you support an application for a permanent environment levy? Why? link
    9 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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  • In October last year we asked the community to tell us their priorities for the natural environment. What is important to you?

    over 12 years ago
    Share In October last year we asked the community to tell us their priorities for the natural environment. What is important to you? on Facebook Share In October last year we asked the community to tell us their priorities for the natural environment. What is important to you? on Twitter Share In October last year we asked the community to tell us their priorities for the natural environment. What is important to you? on Linkedin Email In October last year we asked the community to tell us their priorities for the natural environment. What is important to you? link
    4 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    84% of survey respondents told us that healthy, natural urban streams and creeks were very important or important. 78% thought the restoration of natural bushland was very important or important. And 75% rated community environmental initiatives as very important or important.

    Do you agree?

  • Are there any particular environmental or sustainability initiatives you’d like Council to consider?

    over 12 years ago
    Share Are there any particular environmental or sustainability initiatives you’d like Council to consider? on Facebook Share Are there any particular environmental or sustainability initiatives you’d like Council to consider? on Twitter Share Are there any particular environmental or sustainability initiatives you’d like Council to consider? on Linkedin Email Are there any particular environmental or sustainability initiatives you’d like Council to consider? link
    1 Response
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    There is a lot of great work happening around the world. Please tell us about initiatives you've heard about or actually experienced which could benefit the Wingecarribee local government area.

  • How has the environment levy contributed to your enjoyment of the Southern Highlands?

    over 12 years ago
    Share How has the environment levy contributed to your enjoyment of the Southern Highlands? on Facebook Share How has the environment levy contributed to your enjoyment of the Southern Highlands? on Twitter Share How has the environment levy contributed to your enjoyment of the Southern Highlands? on Linkedin Email How has the environment levy contributed to your enjoyment of the Southern Highlands? link
    4 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Have you personally seen some improvements to bushland in your area? Are your children more aware of their environment following participation in an educational initiative? Do you volunteer?

  • Got something else to say about the Environment Levy? Use this space.

    over 12 years ago
    Share Got something else to say about the Environment Levy? Use this space. on Facebook Share Got something else to say about the Environment Levy? Use this space. on Twitter Share Got something else to say about the Environment Levy? Use this space. on Linkedin Email Got something else to say about the Environment Levy? Use this space. link
    10 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    You need to be signed in to add your comment.