There were two opportunities for community to take part in the development of the Policy. Overall, 234 people provided their feedback during the engagement, which ran from August 2020 to March 2021.

A summary of community feedback is below. Detailed feedback is contained within the community engagement report.

Community feedback provided in 2021

After the first round of engagement, we checked-in with community on the seven (7) focus areas for conserving and protecting the natural environment. These seven focus areas were identified through what you told us in the first round of engagement (2020).

The community told us they valued:

  • Community education and participation in the natural environment,
  • Connectivity for wildlife and habitat through nature corridors,
  • Managing flood mitigation and planting along waterways, and
  • Protecting and conserving existing natural areas and wildlife.

You can view the responses we received for each focus area below.

Focus Area 1 - Biodiversity & Threatened Species Recovery - What could improve Councils goals in Biodiversity and Threatened Species Recovery?

31 March, 2021

Elle63 says:

Implement some citizen science programs & fund groups to conduct the surveys. Eg Platypus Watch, drone surveys of koala habitat to collect d

31 March, 2021

daveman says:

More north-south corridors from the Brisbane River to White Rock Reserve to link to the Flinders-Karawatha corridor (Woogaroo / 6-Mile Ck)

27 March, 2021

chad_hayes says:

Changes to the planning act to reduce approvals of high density living . All trees are cleared with these developments. Destroys the area.

24 March, 2021

T_Smith says:

Consider the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail as a linear conservation corridor-regrowth/remnant vegetation patches stepping stones for wildlife.

24 March, 2021

job_a says:

Less talk about wanting to do the right thing by the environment and more action to protect and preserve what little we have left.

15 March, 2021

JW9 says:

Community education on biodiversity corridors and their conservation

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Ensuring connectivity of habitats across council boundaries into other council areas. Maintain natural area status quo.

11 March, 2021

Don says:

Ban all clearance of native trees unless they are dangerous. Organise communities to remove exotic weeds and pests, and to plant natives.

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

Begin a comprehensive education piece on keeping cats inside. Whilst its law, people don't pay attention

9 March, 2021

OikosPermaculture says:

Diversity of natives in new estates, education & incentives to rate payers to increase native flora & fauna & permaculture practices at home

9 March, 2021

FrithB says:

Agree with above, also need residential streets and parks filled with native trees/shrubs - for people and fauna - no more clearing!

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

Restrict predatory pets in and around nature reserves. Install nesting boxes. Increase local knowledge of valued species and their habitats

Focus Area 2 - Wetlands & Waterways Improvement - What could improve Council's goals in Wetlands & Waterways Improvement?

31 March, 2021

daveman says:

Riparian corridors need to be wider than current plans - 50-100m each side rather than 30m, otherwise won't be sustainable - easily impacted

15 March, 2021

JW9 says:

Increase penalities for pollution

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Good flood mitigation is achieved through use of natural vegetation and proper hydrology practices. Need to slow down the water in waterways

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

Prevent sediment run off from unsealed driveways.

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

Working with 4WDers to prevent or offset erosion damage. Managing waterway weeds and planting preferred sp.

8 March, 2021

Benooch says:

Small Creek was a great project, i think we need to do more of these projects in urban areas, dont bury creeks, slow the water, lots of reed

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Create a feature waterhole for wetland birds at limestone/queens park

Focus Area 3 - Urban Biodiversity Enhancement - What could improve Council's goals in Urban Biodiversity Enhancement?

31 March, 2021

daveman says:

Information stations along urban walks with QR codes for fauna sights and sounds and Virtual Reality history.

14 March, 2021

JimPrentice says:

Recognise and assist the role of native bees in our environment . Declare Cadagi a weed. Our mental and physical health depends on nature

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Having wildlife corridors also improves the streetscape with housing separated creating a lesser impact from heat islands.

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

Infill open grasslands around the city with trees. It will cut mowing costs & provide habitat.

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

Reduce car speed in corridors, install overhead access for gliders. Plant suitable street trees and prioritise use of local native species.

8 March, 2021

Benooch says:

Love to see more local natives, host plants for butterfly's, bird attracting plants

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Get more serious about indian miner and cane toad management...also, educate public on what can be done...

Focus Area 4 - Natural Area Restoration & Protection - What could improve Council's goals in Natural Area Restoration & Protection?

24 March, 2021

T_Smith says:

Consider the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail as a corridor providing connectivity for wildlife across the landscape-Pine Mtn dryvine scrub etc.

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Ensure the corridor linkages line up with corridor linkages in neighbouring councils. Increase bushcare programs in the council area.

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

Long range planned recurring planting schedules to replace tree loss and offer range of tree maturity over time. Promote native sp gardens

8 March, 2021

Benooch says:

Strong goals, plans, regeneration/revegetation by skilled teams scheduled in and daily work report sheets.

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Incentivise, educate and advertise further for more people to plant natives in their yard and on front nature strips

Focus Area 5 - Experiencing Nature - What could improve Council's goals in Experiencing Nature?

27 March, 2021

JimPrentice says:

there are some really lovely examples of verge plantings eg Rotherdam but we have unclear rules need Council advice/help plus community good

27 March, 2021

JimPrentice says:

Create a from Ipswich to Oxley Common and include walking tracks

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Increase bushcare and indigenous education programs showing the importance of the natural environment.

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

When developing new suburbs (along Centenary Hwy in particular) maintain the bush buffer. So much bio diversity along that road

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

When upgrading roads or constructing new ones include bike ways.

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

Longer opening hours in existing parks. Improve access roads & parking options. Manage loos & trash well. Complete Ips/Boonah trail.

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Make denmark hill a less dodgy place with greater eg. Police prescence

Focus Area 6 - Community Awareness and support - What could improve Council's goals in Community Awareness & Support?

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

Approach community organisations with the view to get them involved in programs, like bushwalking clubs maintaining the tracks and trails.

8 March, 2021

Harjay says:

<3

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Free workshops to public on natives and wildlife support in backyards...also recycling and waste minimisation etc.

Focus Area 7 - Governance, measuring & Reporting - What could improve Council's goals in Governance, Measuring & Reporting?

13 March, 2021

gavin_dale says:

This policy should be the framework upon which development decisions can be made properly balanced with the evidence from improvements, etc.

10 March, 2021

Nicky says:

Provide to the community audit results. Show improvements from baseline data - do we have baseline data?

8 March, 2021

JGC says:

Regular weed control to better maintain the corridors providing connectivity for wildlife across the landscape

8 March, 2021

Ltp says:

Waste reduction, reuse and better recycling...make e.g glass recycling easier again.

2 March, 2021

Micky says:

All Community groups (including charities) must be audited every year

Community feedback provided in 2020

An online and phone survey was undertaken for the first round of the engagement. This included targeted engagement with sectors of the community such as young people and environmental groups. We received responses from 51 people. Below are they key findings.
  • The extent of greenspace and natural areas within the city is highly valued.

  • 3/4 online survey respondents and 1/2 phone respondents mentioned they appreciated the amount of greenspace and natural areas the city has.

  • Improve the management of council's natural areas and broader greenspace network.

  • A third of respondents mentioned habitat provisions for native plants and animals showing we value wildlife and want to improve the protection of our native species.

  • Improve condition of the waterways, wetlands and associated riparian vegetation.

  • Improve preservation of corridors and connectivity across the city.

  • Expanding land use planning protection is key with over half of respondents referencing land use planning or development processes.

  • More sustainable outcomes should be used as a tool to improve the natural environment.

Survey respondents stated the following top four reasons for having a healthy and resilient natural environment in Ipswich.