Biodiversity and Agriculture Advisory Committee - 13 May 2025 4:30 PM

Key decisions

• Koala Activity Monitoring Report 2023 noted
  The committee noted the 2023 Koala Activity Monitoring Report.
  Residents interested in koala conservation and local environmental management may look to this report for trends and priorities.
• Projects and operations update noted, with fire ant follow-up requested
  The committee noted current biodiversity and agriculture projects and programs and requested staff arrange a discussion with key stakeholders about fire ant management at a future committee meeting.
  This signals further council attention to fire ant management, which may affect landholders, biosecurity responses, and local environmental protection.
• Brunswick Valley Landcare quarterly reports noted
  The committee noted Brunswick Valley Landcare Support Officer quarterly reports for October-December 2024 and January-March 2025.
  Residents involved in landcare, habitat restoration, or rural land management may be interested in the progress of supported projects.
• Wallum Heath working group confirmed
  The committee confirmed the Wallum Heath on Pleistocene Threatened Ecological Community listing working group, appointed Cr Ndiaye as Chair and James Barrie as lead, and set preliminary tasks before the next committee meeting.
  This may shape future advice and advocacy on protection of a threatened ecological community in the shire.

Important topics

• Fire ant management
  Staff were asked to arrange a discussion with key stakeholders on fire ant management at a future committee meeting.
  Important for rural properties, environmental management, and pest control planning.
• Wallum Heath ecological community listing
  The committee advanced work on the Wallum Heath on Pleistocene Threatened Ecological Community listing through a dedicated working group.
  Could influence conservation priorities and future land management discussions.
• Wildlife Corridors and Integrated Planning and Reporting
  These items were listed for information only, with no decision text extracted.
  They may be of interest to residents following habitat connectivity and council planning processes, but no substantive outcome was recorded here.

Resident impacts

• No direct spending, service change, or regulatory decision was recorded in the extracted minutes.
• Residents may see future committee discussion or stakeholder engagement on fire ant management.
• Environmental stakeholders may be able to participate in or follow work of the Wallum Heath working group.
• Koala conservation and biodiversity program updates were received but no new policy change was recorded.

Places affected

• Mullumbimby (town)
  Meeting held at the Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby.
• Brunswick Valley (region)
  Referenced through Brunswick Valley Landcare quarterly reports.
• Bundjalung Country (country)
  Acknowledged at the meeting opening.

Next steps

• Staff to arrange a discussion with key stakeholders about fire ant management at a future committee meeting.
  Future committee meeting
• Cr Ndiaye, James Barrie and Dave Rawlins to meet before the next committee meeting to confirm how the Wallum Heath working group will operate, including recording, membership, and meeting frequency and location.
  Before the next Biodiversity and Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting

Extracted minutes text

Minutes of Meeting Biodiversity and Agriculture Advisory Committee Meeting Venue Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby Date Tuesday, 13 May 2025 Time 4:30 PM BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 13 MAY 2025 B A C B i o d i v e r s i t y a n d A g r i c u l t u r e A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e M e e t i n g p a g e 3 Minutes of the Biodiversity and Agriculture Advisory Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 File No: I2025/654 PRESENT: Councillors: Cr S Ndiaye Audio- Visual Cr D Warth Present Cr M Lowe Present Staff: Shannon Burt (Director Sustainable Environment and Economy) Present Liz Caddick (Biodiversity Team Leader) Pres...