Addendum Agenda of Ordinary Meeting

319

Ordinary Meeting 30 May 2018

Notices of Motion

NOM 03

Saving Our Koalas

Strategic Direction

Leading through Collaboration

Strive for best practice in all Council processes

File Ref

140742.2018

Author

Karress Rhodes - Councillor

Background

Koalas are one of Australia's most iconic animals, recognisable around the world. However, koala populations are under increasing pressure. Koala conservation programs are being undertaken on a national, state and local level and Liverpool needs to do its part.

The Koalas of the Georges River corridor do not stop at the Liverpool/Campbelltown LGA borders, they move through bushland along the Georges River gorge from Appin, through Wedderburn to Kentlyn, then onto Glenfield. They go beyond the Campbelltown Council area, through suburbs like Holsworthy, Wattle Grove, Moorebank and the Army lands in the LGA of Liverpool, then on to Sandy Point and turn up in places like Menai in the Sutherland Shire.

So all the LGAs of Wollondilly, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Sutherland share this Koala colony and should act to protect it, each of these LGA’s have a responsibility to engage and accept their part in preserving our Koala population.

We all need to work with the State Government Office of Environment and Heritage and the Roads and Maritime Service and the Army so as to protect habitat and provide 'safe' ways for koalas to cross roads.

In the last two months 9 Koalas have been killed on roads, 8 on the Appin Rd and another on Heathcote Road. With other reports of another Koala killed on the Moorebank Road.

Fencing and wildlife underpasses and overpasses are implemented elsewhere (Queensland an NSW North coast) so why not for these Koalas in this part of Sydney?

Liverpool Council cannot ignore that this Koala population is travelling and even populating parts of the Liverpool LGA and they need our protection.

NOTICE OF MOTION

That Council Investigate and report back to Council July Meeting 2018 on:

1. The provision of a Koala Management Plan that supports the State Government and neighbouring LGA’s Koala Management Plans for the protection of Koala habitat and migration paths along the Georges River that includes the provision of 'safe' ways for koalas to cross roads; and

2. Write to the State Government to request funding through the NSW Koala Strategy that includes their commitment to “fixing priority road-kill hotspots across NSW”, to include the migration routes along the Georges River and through the Liverpool LGA.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S COMMENT

The State Government has recently released their NSW Koala Strategy (May 2018) with the long-term objective of stabilising and then increasing koala numbers in the State. The Strategy outlines some broad actions and aims to guide the management of Koala populations and their habitat across the state supported by a funding package.

Within the Sydney region, actions within the Koala Strategy predominantly focus on local community actions which specifically target threats that are specific to the local population within Blue Mountains, Campbelltown and Wollondilly LGAs. This mirrors the Koala related projects that are being undertaken under the existing Saving Our Species (SOS) program that is facilitated by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), which has included priority local projects for Campbelltown (restoring habitat connectivity) and Wollondilly (mapping koala habitat and corridors).

One of the key objectives of the strategy includes a State Government commitment to developing a state-wide koala information base to inform and guide the identification and fixing of priority hotspots where Koalas are struck by vehicles. The threat of vehicle strike is also considered in a similar manner within the action toolbox associated with the SOS program for the Koala, with OEH proposing to identify blackspots, and support relevant road managers to install pertinent mitigation measures. Council has been liaising with OEH and RMS to address the road kill issue and provide safe passages for animals to cross the road. A recent example is our correspondence with RMS to consider the provision of safe passage for Koalas in designing the upgrade of Heathcote Road.

Council strictly follows the NSW Government Policy on Koala conservation when considering development application in areas with potential Koala habitat. Clause 9 of SEPP 44 (Koala Habitat Protection) states that ‘Before a council may grant consent to a development application for consent to carry out development on land to which this Part applies that it is satisfied is a core koala habitat, there must be a plan of management prepared in accordance with Part 3 that applies to the land.’ This clause would appear to justify the need for a Plan of Management under SEPP 44 for Campbelltown and Wollondilly LGAs, as they appear to have areas that are considered to be core Koala habitat that are the subject of development proposals that would be assessed by Council. However, the circumstances are different for Liverpool LGA, with areas that may constitute core Koala habitat predominantly occurring within land that would not be the subject of development proposals that would be determined by Council.

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Supports the State Government initiatives and actions to preserve and enhance Koala population through the NSW Koala Strategy; and

2. Continues to champion the relevant state agencies for the appropriate consideration of safe animal passages, including Koalas in major infrastructure projects.

CONSIDERATIONS

Economic	Deliver a high quality local road system including provision and maintenance of infrastructure and management of traffic issues.
Environment	Protect, enhance and maintain areas of endangered ecological communities and high quality bushland as part of an attractive mix of land uses. Raise community awareness and support action in relation to environmental issues.
Social	There are no social and cultural considerations.
Civic Leadership	Act as an environmental leader in the community. Undertake communication practices with the community and stakeholders across a range of media. Encourage the community to engage in Council initiatives and actions. Provide information about Council’s services, roles and decision making processes. Actively advocate for federal and state government support, funding and services.
Legislative	There are no legislative considerations relating to this report.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil

322

Ordinary Meeting 30 May 2018

Notices of Motion

NOM 04

Toda Exchange Student Program

Strategic Direction

Creating Connection

Celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and recognise heritage

File Ref

140801.2018

Author

Karress Rhodes - Councillor

Background

Liverpool Council has committed to re-establishing the Council Student Exchange Program with our Sister City Toda.

There has been interest from a number of our local schools in participating in the Liverpool Council Program to send students to Toda in September 2018.

However some of the schools participating have concerns about the short time frame leading up to the September deadline and the financial constraints some families may have in being able to participate this year, due to the short notice in being able to find enough money to fund their Children’s participation.

I remind Council that the single most important objective raised by our fellow Councillors from Toda last year was their wish that Liverpool re-engage in the Student Exchange Program with them. They wished that the program be reinstated this year.

It would be a great disappointment to our Sister City if this was not to happen.

Councils financial assistance to make it happen this year would go a long way to promoting the Program at the participating schools and ensuring greater interest and the on-going success of the program in following years.

The cultural exchange through participating schools is not to be underestimated in measuring positive outcomes, not only for the participating students but also for the Liverpool economy by encouraging business and other cultural exchanges and opportunities that can only be of benefit to the entire Liverpool Community

I ask Councillors to support the motion.

NOTICE OF MOTION

If the Toda Student exchange Program is to commence in September 2018, that Liverpool Council consider, on an individual application basis;

Granting financial assistance to applications from students wishing to travel to Toda as a part of the Liverpool Council Toda Student Exchange Program in 2018.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S COMMENT

Following the Council resolution of 28 February, 2018 regarding the Sister City relationship with Toda, Japan Council has organised two information sessions for High Schools who expressed an interest in the Toda Student Exchange Program. The information sessions were held on the 14 April and 17 May. In total, three schools confirmed an interest in participating in future exchanges (Lurnea, Hoxton Park, and James Busby High Schools).

In regard to the timing of an outgoing Exchange Program, it would appear that Department of Education guidelines would prohibit organisation of such a visit in September 2018. Specifically, the NSW Department of Education “Overseas excursions advice and application pack” states the following:

1. “Approval for overseas excursions cannot be assumed. At least nine months prior to the date of planned department, Principals must send their Director, Public Schools NSW a completed Notice of Intention to plan an overseas excursion.

2. Overseas excursions must be approved by the Executive Director, Public Schools NSW on the recommendation of the Director, Public Schools NSW. At least four months prior to the date of the planned excursion a completed Application for Approval of overseas excursions must be forwarded by the Principal via the Director, Public Programs NSW, to the Executive Director”.

Schools fully understand the challenges involved and have expressed their preference for a September 2019 commencement date.

Given the logistical challenges, Council officers have been liaising with Officials in Toda who are fully aware of the situation. Should it not be able to organise the Exchange Program in 2018, both parties remain committed to an Exchange taking place in September 2019. Toda Officials are keen that the Council delegation planned for September 2018 should undertake due diligence in regard to the operation of the proposed program for future years.

In regard to the provision of financial support for participating pupils, any such decision would rest with Council and should be consistent with Section 356 of the Local Government Act (1993), which requires 28 days’ public exhibition of any proposed financial assistance to private individuals under the circumstances proposed.

CONSIDERATIONS

Economic	Facilitate the development of new tourism based on local attractions culture and creative industries.
Environment	There are no environmental and sustainability considerations.
Social	Support community organisations, groups and volunteers to deliver coordinated services to the community. Deliver high quality services for children and their families.
Civic Leadership	Act as an environmental leader in the community. Undertake communication practices with the community and stakeholders across a range of media. Facilitate the development of community leaders. Encourage the community to engage in Council initiatives and actions. Provide information about Council’s services, roles and decision making processes. Actively advocate for federal and state government support, funding and services.
Legislative	There are no legislative considerations relating to this report.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil