Agenda Item 14.4.1

MEETING MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 3 JUNE 2019, HELD IN THE ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL, ANDY MCNEILL ROOM

PRESENT Mayor Damien Ryan (Acting Chairperson)Deputy Mayor Matt PatersonMr Rod Cramer - Rural Area AssociationMr Angus Duguid - Dept. Environment Natural ResourcesMr David Koch - Community MemberMs Judith Lovell - Community MemberMr Martin O’Neill - Power and WaterMr Tierneigh Parnell - Youth MemberMr Alex Read - Arid Lands Environment CentreMr Peter Somerville - Lands Planning and EnvironmentMs Kate Stevens - Land for WildlifeMs Georgia Stewart - Community Member

OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE

Mr Rex Mooney - Chief Executive OfficerMr Scott Allen - Director Technical ServicesMr Oliver Eclipse - Manager Regional Waste Management FacilityMs Charlotte Klempin - Environment OfficerMs Stephanie Dominguez - Executive Assistant (Minutes)

GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE

Mr David Letheby - NTFRS, Fire Station Commander Mr Steve Peters (Observer)

13th Alice Springs Town Council

Environment Advisory Committee Attendance List 2018/2019

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Mayor Damien Ryan ✓ ✓ ✓phone

✓Deputy Mayor Paterson ✓ A A ✓Councillor Glen Auricht A ✓ V ACouncillor Marli Banks A A ✓ ARod Cramer ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓John Gaynor ✓ ✓

phone✓

proxy

Kate Stevens ✓ / ✓ ✓

David Koch ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Judith Lovell A A ✓ ✓

Martin O’Neill ✓

Peter Somerville ✓ — ✓ ✓

Tierneigh Parnell ✓ ✓ — ✓

Alex Read ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Georgia Stewart ✓ ✓

S AttendedS Proxy Proxy attended in place of committee member

A Apology receivedNo attendance and no apology recorded

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 2 of 11

The meeting opened at 4.30 pm.

Mayor Ryan noted that this meeting would be the last Environment Advisory Committee (EAC) that Rex Mooney will be attending at Chief Executive Officer, and thanked him for his time and contribution to the Committee.

Mayor Ryan extended an invitation to the Committee to a farewell gathering on Friday, 21 June 2019. Official invitations will be sent to the Committee via email.

1. APOLOGIES

Councillor Glen Auricht (Chairperson)Councillor Marli BanksMr John Gaynor - Dept. Environment Natural Resources

2. UPDATES FROM THE CHAIR

Nil

3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Nil

4. CORRESPONDENCE

4.1 Correspondence - Letter to Rex Mooney from Power and Water - Martin O'Neill

The committee received and noted the correspondence from Mr O’Neill and welcomed him to the committee.

4.2 Correspondence - Email to NTFRS Fire Station Commander - David Letheby

The Committee noted the correspondence, and thanked Mr Letheby for attending to report on Bushfire Mitigation and Risks for the Municipal area.

4.3 Correspondence - Letter from Robbie Henderson to Rex Mooney - Re: Resignation from Environment Advisory Committee.

The Committee received and noted the Resignation Letter from Mr Robbie Henderson.

Deputy Mayor Paterson requested a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr Henderson acknowledging his contribution to the Committee.

Action:Officers to send letter of appreciation to Mr Henderson, to thank him for his contribution to the Committee.

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 1 APRIL 2019

5.1 Unconfirmed Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 1 April 2019

RESOLVED:That it be a recommendation to Council:

That the Minutes of the Environment Advisory Committee meeting held 1 April 2019 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the proceedings of that meeting.

Moved: David Koch Seconded: Rod Cramer CARRIED

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 3 of 11

6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

Nil

7. DEPUTATION

7.1 David Letheby, NTFRS Fire Station CommanderBushfire Mitigation and Risk Updates for the Municipal Area

David Letheby, Alice Springs Fire Station Commander presented to the Committee on Bushfire Mitigation and Risk Updates for the Municipal area.

Topics covered were:

• Alice Springs emergency response area / areas of focus• Alice Springs Fire Station staffing capacity• Station location and resources• Nearest support / backup resources• Average incidents - approx. 1500 per year, can increase to approx. 3000

incidents per year when the fuel load is high• Historical fire scars and rainfall - impact on fuel loads• Permits required for backyard burning - other than for comfort or cooking• Buffel Grass bushfire risks and preparation• Bushfire Hazard Abatement Plan

Mr Letheby advised once available, the Bushfire Hazard Abatement Plan can be provided for the Committee.

Discussion ensued in regard to bushfire mitigation methods - herbicides, slashing and grading and the impact of the latter on soil erosion. Rod Cramer expressed concern in regard to the lack of:

• policy on mitigating soil erosion when undertaking bushfire mitigation• enforcement in repairing damage after grading• management/education between stakeholders, and• that bare earth fire breaks are a big problem• best practice / overall philosophy for collaborative land management

Peter Somerville suggested Rod was looking for an overall philosophy for collaborative land management.

Discussion ensued in regard to:

• best practice, statutory requirements and compliance in regard to bushfire mitigation,

• concepts for mitigating soil erosion and improving land conservation, and• water containment

The Director Technical Services advised he will engage in a conversation with Department Infrastructure Planning and Logistics in regard to this matter.

Judith Lovell enquired if it would be possible to look at a policy for the ecological services of the municipality, value of soil, water, flora and fauna, and look at strategies for providing encouragement for block owners. Ms Lovell enquired if a subgroup of the EAC could be formed to focus on costing models for ecological services, where those are in place and what they mean.

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 4 of 11

Action:Rod Cramer to arrange meeting with David Letheby, NTFRS Fire Station Commander to review the impact grading has on soil erosion

Action:Director Technical Services to meet with Rod Cramer to discuss soil erosion and mitigation concepts and how they relate to Council

Action:Director Technical Services to review a subgroup concept in regard ecological services and behaviours in the community and report back to the Committee

8. LAND

8.1 Mr Angus Duguid, Acting Regional Director Southern Region.Department Environment Natural Resources (DENR) Report

The committee received and noted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Report provided by Mr Angus Duguid, Acting Director Southern Region which covered:

• Groundwater use of Alice Springs Town Basin• Alice Springs Flood and Flow Warning• Lhere Mparntwe - Todd and Charles Rivers Management Strategy

Questions and answers followed with the Committee in regard to vegetation management plan, fire management and weed spraying processes, irrespective of clearing undertaken by DENR.

Discussion ensued in regard to the Water Advisory Committee, and frequency of meetings. Rod Cramer expressed a desire to have the Committee re-activated the while the process of recruiting a Chairperson is being undertaken. Mr Duguid took the matter on notice.

Mr Cramer enquired if Council would be sending a representative to the next Weeds Advisory Committee meeting. The Director Technical Services advised the Environment Officer would be attending on behalf of Council.

Discussion ensued in regard to the Todd and Charles Rivers Management Strategy. Mayor Ryan reiterated Council’s outstanding concerns which were raised with Mr John Gaynor when he presented to Council at the Ordinary Council meeting held 29 April 2019:

• The Vegetation and Fire Management Plan which would be facilitated by DENR but not controlled

• Infrastructure removal - unclear what infrastructure is to be removed from the river and at who’s cost

• Division over where Council’s responsibility begins and finishes, and• Council’s responsibility regarding ‘removal of weeds’ including Buffel and Couch,

and questions in regard to whether the Northern Territory Government were going to declare Buffel as a weed

Mr Duguid noted the Mayor’s concerns and discussed DENR’s purpose which is to facilitate groups to achieve better outcomes in the rivers.

The Director Technical Services advised there was a report being submitted to Council in the June Technical Services Committee that would be available online in the meeting papers this Friday 7 June 2019. A decision from Council in regard to this matter could be expected at the Ordinary Council meeting Monday 24 June 2019.

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8.2 Community Garden

Mr Alex Read provided an update on the Community Garden:

• All plots filled and there is a waiting list for people who want access to a plot• Working bees are ongoing• Kitchen/office is complete, building permit issued, grant to be acquitted• Entrance and gate design, local artist has already started work• Strategic planning process:

o The Committee is considering how to sustain the garden through succession planning for key volunteers

o Looking to request to Council to support the water bill to provide for an employee to manage volunteers, community visits and school tours, and making the most of the new facilities

o Conversations with Centralian School for establishing another community garden

8.3 Feral Animals

The Committee received and noted the Feral Animals Report, presented by the EnvironmentOfficer.

Number of cats trapped vs traps loaned out per year by ASTC350

El Traps Loaned Out

■ Cats Trapped

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Figure 1. Number of cats trapped and traps loaned out per year by the Alice Springs Town Council.

Mr Letheby noted the dingo presence around Stephens’s road had reduced. The Director Technical Services advised a program had been in place to capture and relocate the Dingoes in that area.

The Director took a question on notice in regard to the location the Dingoes are relocated to.

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 6 of 11

Cats trapped by Garden for Wildlife members in urban gardens of AliceSprings

20

12

i!■, 1

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Figure 2. Number of cats trapped per year by GFW

Turtle-doves trapped by Garden for Wildlife members in urban gardens ofAlice Springs

2018

Figure 3. Number of turtle- doves trapped per year by GFW

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 7 of 11

9. TRANSPORT

Nil

10. ENERGY

10.1 Solar:

The solar report was received and noted by the committee.

Energy use from ASALC, Civic Centre, Depot, Library and RWMF

Monthly Grid Supplied Energy (kWh)40000

35000

30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

Jan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18 Jul-18 Jan-19

——Civic Centre ........Depot =*RWMF —Library

Figure 4. Monthly grid-supplied energy (kWh) for the Civic Centre, Depot, Library and RWMF

ASALC Monthly Grid Supplied Energy (kWh)180000

160000

140000

120000

§ 100000

g? 80000

60000

40000

20000

Feb-14 Aug-14 Feb-15 Aug-15 Feb-16 Aug-16 Feb-17 Aug-17 Feb-18 Aug-18 Feb-19

Figure 5. Monthly grid-supplied energy (kWh) for the ASALC. Note drop in energy use indicate pool closure.

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 8 of 11

>*

S?<vcLU

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

Total Energy Consumption and Solar Power GenerationFive Council Facilites

from

oJan-14 Jul-14 Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18 Jul-18 Jan-19

■■Total energy consumption ■■Grid Energy ■■Solar Solar

Figure 6. Total energy consumption, grid supplied energy and solar energy produced for five individual Council facilities. The graph also shows Greenhouse Gas emissions avoided through the use of solar power (red).

11. WATER

Nil

12. WASTE AND RECYCLING

12.1 Regional Waste Management Facility - December 2018 Report

Total Waste: Total Waste MINUS clean fill collected at the Regional Waste Management Facility (RWMF) for July 2018 to April 2019 was 30,337.61 tonnes. In July 2017 to April 2018 26,742.00 tonnes of clean fill was collected.

Total Recycled: Total Recycled material for July 2018 to April 2019 period was 2,369.75 tonnes, compared to 2,931.19 tonnes from July 2017 to April 2018.

Percentage Recycled: Total percentage of materials recycled between July 2018 and April 2019 is 7.81%. In July 2017 to April 2018 10.96% was recycled.

EAC 03.06.2019 Page 9 of 11

July 2017- April 2018

July 2018- April 2019

TonnesIN

TonnesOUT

TonnesIN

TonnesOUT

Animal Carcass 8.45 6.31 0.00

Asbestos 507.37 95.92 0.00

Building Material 105.79 0.00 88.52

Cardboard & Paper 238.45 235.64 19.99Chemical 0.00 0.00

Clean Fill 9,230.89 8,402.42 44.90Concrete 1,868.48 1,007.64 2,571.71 605.89Container Deposit 0.64 599.82 306.18

Council Supported 72.24 1.36 0.00Demolition Materials 4,531.39 4,989.51 0.06Domestic Bins 5,844.98 5,703.74 0.00

Drop off Zone* (Shop) 119.82 7.57 105.91Electronic waste 39.85 24.46 46.76 27.78Glass ** 70.65 12.40 79.75 35.98Green Waste 2,063.79 319.20 1,949.66 985.22

Household Goods 37.63 0.00 66.17

Liquid Waste 953.10 959.18 0.00

Mattresses 51.69 21.93 904.73 1.66

Metals *** 642.74 627.19 519.13 79.15Mixed Waste **** 9,277.32 11,198.87 0.00

Timber & Pallets 559.99 655.13 410.93 2.34

Tyres 10.87 57.02 0.00Total 35,972.89 2,931.19 38,740.03 2,369.75

Total minus clean fill 26,742.00 30,337.61

7.81%Percentage recycled 10.96%

Table 1. Breakdown of items and recycled material through the weighbridge displayed as yearly accumulated data for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 financial periods

Drop off Zone - Goods dropped off by the Public at the Rediscovery Shop Glass categoriesMetal categories - include other categories (e.g. whitegoods etc.)Mixed Waste - includes other categories (e.g. confidential burial; food surrender; transfer station, general waste; street clean

The Mayor noted since the last Committee meeting the Official Opening of the Hazardous Waste Compound had been held. Discussion ensued in regard to the types of household sized items products that Council will be accepted through the facility including:

• Gas Bottles• Paints• Oils• Other Miscellaneous Chemicals

The Manager Regional Waste Management Facility noted anything over 10 litres would be directed to Cleanaway for processing. At appropriate times a Chemist from Cleanaway will be engaged to process anything collected at the Compound.

The Manager Regional Waste Management Facility took a question on notice in regard to fees.

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12.2 Recycling Initiatives

The Committee received and noted the Recycling Initiatives Report.

Recycling Initiative Item Amount

Close The Loop Printer cartridges 4.5 kg

Mobile Muster Mobile phones 0.7 kg

MRI Household batteries 18 kg

The Environment Officer confirmed the collection locations for the Mobile Muster which include; Library, Civic Centre Reception and Rediscovery Centre and advised the numbers collected had been fluctuating without a significant trend.

Mayor Ryan enquired in regard to the trends around fluorescent light tubes being recycled.

Action:The Environment Officer to provide a graph on the number of fluorescent light tubes being recycled

13. CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY

13.1 Climate Action Plan

The Environment Officer presented an update of actions in regard to the Climate Action Plan.

• Community GHG inventory has been reviewed by Ironbark Sustainability

Action Number Action Progress

5.1.1 50% renewable energy by 2021 Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Grant 2018-19

5.2.1 Installation of indoor pool blankets

Blankets have been ordered

5.3.10 Electric Vehicle Budget discussion for vehicle in progress

5.4.1 Food waste trial Early stage of organizing trial for 200 house holds

5.4.16 Commercial composting systems Included as part of Food Organics & Garden Organics (FOGO) Trial

5.4.18 Reduce food and garden waste FOGO Trial

6.3.34 Implement Food and Garden Organics

FOGO Trial

Discussion ensued in regard to the Food Organics Garden Organics internal trial that will be undertaken using 200 households. Environment Advisory Committee members, Elected Members and Council Staff will be invited to participate in the initial trial which will be used to troubleshoot any issues that Council may have before going out to the broader community.

The Director Technical Services advised commercial collection and collection from schools may be considered if the concept in progressed further, and confirmed the trial is being funded through the Climate Action Plan budget.

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14. OTHER BUSINESS

14.1 Mayor Ryan - Congratulations to Peter Somerville

Mayor Ryan extended congratulations to Mr Peter Somerville on being awarded the President’s Prize at the Northern Territory Architecture Awards.

14.2 Deputy Mayor Paterson - Letter of thanks to Robbie Henderson

As per item 4.3.

14.3 Fracking in the Northern Territory

Rod Cramer enquired in regard to Council’s position on Fracking exclusion areas. The Chief Executive Officer advised this matter was raised at the last Council meeting and Council has authorised him to respond to the ‘have your say’.

14.4 Rod Cramer - Weed Spraying Chemicals

Alex Read raised the issue in regard to Glyphosate Usage, and asked if Council had reviewed its processes and was ensuring safety procedures were being enforced. The Director Technical Services responded, and confirmed a report in regard to this matter was submitted to the Technical Services Committee on 10 September 2019.

Action:Officers to distribute the report: TS Agenda Item 9.2- Report No: 125 - Glyphosate Usage to the Committee.

15. NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 6 August 2019 - 4:30pm in the Andy McNeill Room, Civic Centre - 93 Todd Street.

The meeting closed at 5:50 pm