Enviroplan

What is the Enviroplan Program?

Ipswich City Council manages more than 6700 hectares of conservation estates and reserves, and supports community conservation efforts through the Ipswich Enviroplan Program.

This forward-thinking initiative launched in 1996 as a clear recognition that identifying, protecting and maintaining the health of vital ecosystems and natural environmental values is a priority in creating a sustainable and liveable community.

The Ipswich Enviroplan Program is governed through the Ipswich Enviroplan Program and Levy Policy. This informs the allocation of revenue generated from the levy and outlines the management of funding through Enviroplan.

The Enviroplan Levy

Enviroplan is funded through an annual rates levy.

There are four pillars of Enviroplan that form the basis for conservation in Ipswich:

• Conservation planning: delivery of citywide landscape planning, management and research activities
• Land acquisition: strategic properties are considered for voluntary acquisition based on conservation and other criteria
• Estate management: a range of actions are undertaken to improve conservation areas, including restoration works, signage and facilities, and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage
• Community partnerships: delivery of on-ground and education activities, from partnerships with private landholders to community grants and events

• Acquisition of 93 hectares at Mt Flinders Road, Peak Crossing to incorporate into Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
• More than 1000 members registered with the Habitat Gardens program and close to 200 properties registered with a Voluntary Conservation Agreement
• $164,778 provided in Nature Conservation Grants to landholders undertaking conservation works on properties
• Hazard reduction burn activities included 96 hectares completed at Flinders-Goolman Conservation estate and 30 hectares at Hillview Drive Reserve
• $466,681 for maintenance work including weed control, service trails, labour and equipment
• 111 hectares of habitat restoration works targeting the improvement of endangered Yellow Box vegetation community, Brush-tailed rock wallaby habitat and the removal of declared weeds such as Cat’s claw creeper and Lantana
• $34,121 for upgrades to the Kupmurri at Hardings Paddock, including walking tracks and gardens, solar lighting, gates and fencing
• $351,325 towards 156 hectares of ongoing fuel reduced area maintenance for the control of wildfire
• $12,895 for Purga Nature Reserve wayfinding signage installation for all tracks

You may be interested in viewing the Ipswich Enviroplan Annual Progress Report 2023-2024 for a more in-depth view of our achievements.

• Increase in hazard reduction burn activity across multiple estates
• Investment in creating and maintaining fuel reduced areas
• First landholder support day since the re-launch of the Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program
• Significant investment continued with flood recovery works in estates and building resilience to future floods
• More than $95,000 in Nature Conservation Grants provided
• Experience Nature '40 ways in 40 days' campaign engaged more than 1,145 people in face-to-face activities
• Flora and fauna surveys, including Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies and Flinders Plum
• More than $469,510 on natural area maintenance
• Two new public walking trails at Purga Nature Reserve

You may be interested in viewing the Ipswich Enviroplan Annual Progress Report 2022-2023 for a more in-depth view of our achievements.

• Adoption of the Natural Environment Policy and development of the Natural Environment Strategy
• Completion of the Denmark Hill upgrade
• Completion of Hardings Paddock facilities - Community Hut, Kup murri, trailhead
• Community Open Day at Hardings Paddock including Kup murri cooking demonstration
• $34,283 in grants provided to the community
• $45,550 towards Little Liverpool Range Initaitive
• Rollout of new Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program
• $106,000 for pest animal monitoring and management
• $331,800 towards landscape restoration works such as rehabilitation and weed management
• Significant flood repair work to the track and trail network across Enviroplan conservation estates.

You may be interested in viewing the Ipswich Enviroplan Annual Progress Report 2021-2022 for a more in-depth view of our achievements.

• $831,000 invested into the purchase of a property adjacent to Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate, adding 63 hectares to the Natural Area Estate
• $97,000 in Land Management Payments provided to 70 landholders
• $63,000 in grants to 18 landholders
• $20,000 in community grants
• 376 participants in the Experience Nature events
• 133 attendees to the Enviroforum online series
• $115,000 in vegetation, flora and fauna monitoring (Bio-condition Assessment) in the Natural Area Estate
• $1,300,000 on enhancement and protection capital projects in the Natural Area Estate
• $434,000 invested into implementing fuel reduction across the Natural Area Estate
• $108,000 in pest animal monitoring and management in the Natural Area Estate

You may be interested in viewing the Ipswich Enviroplan Annual Progress Report 2020-2021 for a more in-depth view of our achievements.