Working in partnership to preserve our environment
Council's Million Trees Program aims to plant one million native trees throughout the Scenic Rim by 2025.
Scenic Rim Regional Council will continue to work in partnership with the community to conserve and enhance the region’s natural values, providing $104,300 for the Environmental Grants Program in its 2021-2022 Budget.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the Environmental Grants Program aims to encourage and assist community involvement in the management of the Scenic Rim’s environment for the benefit of the whole region.
“Council is proud to work in partnership with the Scenic Rim community to conserve and enhance the region’s unique and spectacular environment," he said.
“We all have a part to play in the protection and enhancement of our natural environment.
"From restoring waterways, weed control, enhancing the habitat of endangered native species, and revegetating degraded areas – there is plenty of work to be done.
“Luckily we have passionate and enthusiastic guardians of our land that stem from landowners, schools and community groups that play an invaluable role in this work.”
To help maintain habitats for native animals, Council has more than 300 Land for Wildlife agreements with landowners covering more than 11,050 hectares of private property across the Scenic Rim.
In 2020-2021, Council provided a total of $40,581 in rates rebates to landowners of 27 properties which met the criteria for Voluntary Conservation Agreements and Covenants.
“Although our region is home to many large national parks, much of the remaining native habitat in the Scenic Rim is found on private property, so the conservation of native plants and wildlife and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems is very much a community effort," Cr Christensen said.
“Landowners can make a significant contribution to conserving and enhancing our natural environment simply by maintaining natural habitats on private property."
In addition to the Environmental Grants Program, Council’s 2021-2022 Budget provides $65,780 for the Million Trees Program, which is up from $50,500 last year. This program aims to plant one million native trees throughout the Scenic Rim by 2025.
Cr Christensen also urged ratepayers to make use of their free tree vouchers, to be distributed with rates notices in July.
Council provides many local native species as well as a small number of hardy exotic plants which are compatible with the Scenic Rim’s natural environment.
“Our free trees initiative plays an important part in the greening of our region and enhancing its biodiversity,” Cr Christensen said.
“Not only does planting trees significantly improve the landscape visually, but it restores the environment to its native state, creating a lasting legacy, and that's valuable for everyone."
Applications for Council’s 2021-2022 Environmental Grants Program will open on 1 July and close on 13 August.
The grant offers landowners, schools and community groups funding for projects that work to improve the region’s natural environment. Eligible projects include wildlife habitat enhancement, riparian restoration, community environmental awareness campaigns, and conservation of environmental areas with cultural significance.
You can find out more about the Environmental Grants Program on the Scenic Rim website: www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/grants-funding-awards/environment-grants/1
A copy of the Scenic Rim Regional Council 2021-2022 Community Budget Report is available for download from Council's website: www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/financial-information