Rainforest rate rebate on the chopping block
Council budget
A rate rebate of up to 50 per cent for conservationists who own nature reserves is being axed by Douglas Shire Council.
In a rare non-unanimous decision, the five-member council voted 3-2 to rescind the Rates Incentive for Conservation Policy, which was brought in more than 20 years ago to help encourage people to retain and plant native tropical rainforest and preserve wildlife.
The DSC move is being seen by some as more symbolic than revenue-raising, with a council report stating that just $32,000 will be saved by cutting the incentive scheme.
In a recent council meeting Mayor Lisa Scomazzon outlined her reason for wanting to cut the rate-relief program.
“I don’t believe that this policy should be used by not-for-profit organisations outside of Queensland who buy residential blocks with donations and grants and are then rewarded by paying less rates for planting trees,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“I will not support it because this council is not in a position where it can afford to be losing valuable rates on residential blocks of land that should be used for residential purposes.”
In Tuesday’s meeting, Cr Abigail Noli spoke in favour of keeping the rebate, saying the cut to the program sent the wrong message in a region so reliant on tourists coming to a UNESCO World Heritage site who value the rainforest and the many unique plants and animals.
“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Cr Noli said.
She said the cost savings were not the central issue in this move.
“This does not affect the budget at any significant level.”
A report tabled in the meeting stated: “There may be a public perception risk that the withdrawal of this policy incentive is not consistent with Council’s commitment to conservation measures.”
In the split vote, Mayor Scomazzon, Cr Michael Rees and Cr Damian Meadows voted to scrap the rate rebate, while Cr Noli and Deputy Mayor Roy Zammataro voted to retain it.
The move comes following recent heightened scrutiny of conservation groups buying up land in the area, including by former federal MP Warren Entsch in March.
Back then, Mr Entsch said a not-for-profit group was falsely claiming a block of land in the Daintree Rainforest was at risk of development and was calling for donations to help buy the block so it could be further protected.
But, according to the DSC, that block was in a conservation zone and was not at risk of being developed.
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