Your biodiversity levy at work
Byron Shire Council received approval from the NSW government in June 2004 to apply a special rate variation of 2% for four years to fund the implementation of the Byron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
A four year budget and works plan was subsequently approved by Council identifying the priority actions to be undertaken. Implementation of the work plan has resulted in establishment of the following key programs:
- Bush Regeneration Team to undertake works on high conservation value Council lands; and a
- Biodiversity Extension Service to assist landholders in managing biodiversity values on private land
Major Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS) Achievements
In 2008, the biodiversity levy was replaced with an environmental levy that continues the implementation of the Byron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy as well as supporting Council's sustainability and coastal programs.