In the lead-up to the State Budget on June 13 we focus on key Qld policy issues and programs the LGAQ are campaigning for on behalf of its member councils. This week, the spotlight is on Natural Resource Management.
The LGAQ has asked for $10 million from the upcoming state budget to ensure local governments can deliver Natural Resource Management (NRM) programs.
Local governments spend $20 million a year on natural resource management initiatives - yet have only been allocated $1.5 million by the state between 2017–2020.
In its submission to Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt, the LGAQ said the “retraction of external resources has resulted in a reduction in capacity of local governments.”
“Funding of local government NRM projects would address this imbalance and send a positive message from the state about the importance of protecting areas of environmental significance."
The Moreton Bay Regional Council Koala Conservation Partnership Project is one such project that exemplifies the power of local government to deliver positive NRM outcomes.
Established in 2009, the project aims to secure the long-term sustainability of koala populations in the region. Already, the project has achieved some key milestones including the revegetation of key koala habitat areas.
In key project communications materials, Moreton Bay Regional Council outlines the primary basis for the project.
"Few urbanised areas in Australia are as privileged as the Moreton Bay region to still have koalas. Koalas can often be seen throughout the region in both urban and bushland areas. Moreton Bay Regional Council has implemented a koala conservation program, made up of a suite of projects and actions to protect koalas and their habitat," a project statement reads.
The Koala Conservation Partnership Project is a partnership between the MBRC, SEQ Water, SEQ Catchments, Energex, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.