|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Council is seeking feedback from the community on environment levyLast modified: September 23, 2009 - 10:26 AM
Wingecarribee Shire Council is about to embark on a series of forums in local towns and villages to gauge the feeling of the local community about incorporating the Wingecarribee Our Future Environment Rate in perpetuity so that an environmental program could become a core council function into the future. Back in 2000 Wingecarribee Shire Council introduced an environmental levy to fund a series of ongoing environmental projects aimed at improving local bushland and waterways, as well as restoring the shire's biodiversity. "The levy continues to provide massive support for the many environmental volunteers working in the shire and has tapped into substantial external funding, because for the first time, we are in a position to provide matching funding," said Chair of the Wingecarribee Environment and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Larry Whipper, explaining that approval for the existing environment levy expires in 2013 and the council has decided to begin a consultation process to see if the community backs the idea of having an environmental program of works funded by an environmental levy as a permanent part of the council operations. "The move would provide certainty for volunteers, bush regenerators, and external agencies, who are all working closely together on many long term projects that will deliver really significant results in water quality and overall biodiversity gains for future generations of people living in Wingecarribee Shire," he said, stressing that climate change and biodiversity extinction of species are becoming realities. "If we care about the world that supports us, and our children, we need to do all we can to address these problems," he said suggesting a contribution through a permanent Environmental rate is an investment in our planet's future. "It is a small but significant action that we can take locally to start working toward repairing the environmental damage that is now becoming evident," said Councillor Whipper. "Before the council decides whether an application should be made to the Department of Local Government it is important that the community have an opportunity to comment," he said, urging Wingecarribee residents to attend one of the forums to learn about council's plans for future environmental projects and make suggestions about their own environmental priorities. "The forums will provide an opportunity for people to talk with council staff and express their views," said Councillor Whipper. Details of when and where the community forums will be held are set out below and can also be found on council's website at http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/. Submissions and comments are invited and should be submitted in writing or by email (wscmail@wsc.nsw.gov.au) by the 25th of November 2009. Council's Natural Resources Coordinator Edward Anderson will be organizing the forums and if you need further details, you can contact him on 02 48 680 884.
Contact details |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| Links to other Councils |
|
|
© 2008 Wingecarribee Shire Council |
 |
