Wholesale changes to Toowoomba Regional Council levy for bushland, biosecurity protection

A key levy that helps manage the region’s natural landscapes and bushland has seen multiple changes by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

The council has made wholesale changes to its Biosecurity and Bushland Conservation Levy.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed a raft of changes to the Natural Resource Management levy in a bid to strengthen the region’s management of natural landscapes and wildlife.

TRC environment and community portfolio leader councillor Tim McMahon said the levy would be renamed as the Biosecurity and Bushland Conservation Levy.

“This is an important source of funding which allows us to manage areas such as invasive plants and animals (weeds and pests), Bushland Conservation (including fire management and rehabilitation) and the co-ordination with Landcare and ParkCare groups and similar bodies,” Cr McMahon said.

“We understand how important this is and in recent years undertook a review to ensure we were making the best use of this money. The review has been incredibly useful and identified potential improvements.”

As part of the improvements recommended, a service delivery plan will be implemented over the next four years with a strong focus on updating biosecurity mapping and reporting, weed spray units, existing fire units, ongoing programs and increasing education and promotional activities for biosecurity.

The plan will also support biosecurity programs on bushland reserves, as well as community bushland conservation programs, bushland regeneration programs and establish of indigenous cultural land management partnerships.

“I’m pleased with the direction we’re taking and there are some exciting programs we’re investing in over the next four years,” Cr McMahon said.

“As part of our support to the community we will provide funding support to community bushland conservation programs such as ‘Land for Wildlife’ and ‘Friends’ Groups.

“We will also be developing and supporting the establishment of partnerships with local indigenous corporations with the aim of having indigenous persons working ‘on country’.”

The changes under the Biosecurity and Bushland Conservation Levy are set to be introduced in the 2021/22 financial year.

For more information visit www.tr.qld.gov.au or contact the council on 131 872.