More Than $235,000 Allocated for Environmental Projects

A total of $237,230 has been made available to local community groups under the 2018-2019 Environmental Levy programme to help enhance the area’s natural attractions and habitats.

“This year there has been a particularly diverse range of projects that we’re pleased to be able to help fund through the Levy. The range of projects underlines how important this particular scheme has become as a means for community groups to work with Council in helping protect and improve our unique environment,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight.

Under the programme, grants worth between $2,000 and $25,000 are available per project. Council introduced the Environmental Levy (EL) as a means of undertaking environmental management and improvement works and it currently raises around $1.3m a year at an average cost of $44 per ratepayer, of which around $300,000 is available to the community.

This year’s projects include:

EnviTE – Koala habitat rehabilitation and community education. Funding of $23,000 allocated. Habitat loss and fragmentation is one of the biggest threats to koala populations in the Coffs Harbour LGA. Koalas need to be able to move across the landscape in order for populations to survive and maintain genetic viability. This project will rehabilitate koala habitat and Endangered Ecological Community (EEC). Bush regeneration work will be carried out across three public reserves covering an area of 12ha. In addition, the project will run field days to engage and educate school children and local residents in Koala and habitat conservation.

Sandy Beach Action Group – Revegetation of open drain on reserve. Funding of $2,000 allocated. This community project will restore an open drain on Sandy Beach Reserve in a location identified as having the potential to become a wetland.

South Coffs Community Garden – Install stand-alone off grid solar PV system. Funding of $16,862 allocated. The project aims to allow total off grid power self-sufficiency for everyday operation and allow educational and community interaction programs to operate effectively.

Full list of the successful projects.

A second round of funding will open on Wednesday, August 29 2018, for the remaining $94,473 funds still available in the 2018-2019 grants round. Application forms, policy and guidelines will be available from that date on Council’s website.

Applications will be accepted up until 5pm Friday, September 28.