Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17

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EnvironmentalSustainabilityStrategy 2014–17Annual Action Plan 2014/15

Annual Action Plan 2014/15AcknowledgementsCouncil would like to acknowledge theEnvironmental Sustainability Advisory Board for itskey role in developing the 2008 Strategy, guidingits implementation and for undertaking its review –leading to this Strategy.The Board was established by Council in 2008 andtook a lead role in developing the 2008 Strategy. Itis an independent Board, consisting of skills basedcommunity members, agency representatives, andCouncillors, and provides Council with expertadvice and guidance. The Board is also supportedby Council staff. The Board monitored and guidedthe implementation of the 2008 strategy andprovided advice in respect to a wide range ofenvironmental issues of relevance to Council.Council would like to thank current and past Boardmembers for their commitment and invaluablecontributions that have assisted in developingframeworks to ensure Council is well placedto continue the increasingly important work ofprotecting and improving our valuable environment.Council would also like to acknowledgelong standing members that have supportedthe environmental sustainability journey withCouncil since 2008.Council also acknowledges the traditionalcustodians of this land and their enduringrelationship with country. Council aspires tostrengthen our partnerships and supportsAboriginal participation in management processesfor land and natural resources. We recogniseAustralia’s rich cultural heritage and aim toencourage integrated decision making now andin the future.3

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17ContentsACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3INTRODUCTION 7COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 8Community Vision 2030 8Council Plan 2013–17 9Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2008–13 10Purpose of Environmental Sustainability Strategy 12Business as Usual 12Related Strategies and Plans 15What does success look like? 17SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AND PRIORITIES 18Drivers 18Trends and forecasts 21Challenges 25Opportunities 26IMPLEMENTATION 28Council’s Role 28Partnerships 29Monitoring and Review 29Communication and Engagement 30Timeframes 304

Annual Action Plan 2014/15ACTION PLAN – 2014/15 31Our communities are resilient and adaptable 31Our resources are used in a sustainable way 32Land use planning delivers vibrant, connected and productive places 34Our infrastructure meets current and future community needs 35Our natural assets are maintained and enhanced 36Our business environment is adaptable and prosperous 37East Gippsland is the place to visit, live, work and invest 38Shire services meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders at an acceptable cost 38We make decisions through transparent processes and execute our plans prudently and effectively 39ACTION PLAN – FUTURE YEARS 40Our communities are connected and inclusive 40Our resources are used in a sustainable way 41Land use planning delivers vibrant, connected and productive places 43Our infrastructure meets current and future community needs 43Our natural assets are maintained and enhanced 44We contribute to a prosperous and sustainable region that takes advantage of economic opportunities 45Shire services meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders at an acceptable cost 46We make decisions through transparent processes and execute our plans prudently and effectively 465

Our Vision:“That East Gippsland willretain its unique environment.We are all learning how wecan tread a little more lightlyin our environment. We wantto make changes that willhelp us do our job in the bestway we can. By doing this,Council aspires to help all EastGippslanders to live moresustainably. Together we canmake a difference”.

Annual Action Plan 2014/15IntroductionThe Environmental Sustainability Strategy outlines EastGippsland Shire Council’s position on issues relating to theprotection, preservation and enhancement of our environmentand provides a framework towards a more sustainable future.Council has a role in maintaining, protectingand enhancing the region’s natural environment.We can do this by using our resources moreefficiently, by reducing our everyday impacts,and encouraging the people of East Gippsland todo the same.Building on the foundation of the initialEnvironmental Sustainability Strategy 2008–13,this Strategy provides practical initiatives that willcontinue to deliver Council’s primary environmentand sustainability commitments.The definition of sustainability from the 2008Strategy remains unchanged. That is to “ensurethe protection and repair of ecological processesupon which our lifestyles depend for environmental,social and economic benefit – today andfor the future.”The key objectivities are to: Ensure Council makes the pursuit ofenvironmental sustainability a priority whenundertaking its operations and fulfilling itsresponsibilities, Ensure Council develops new, and strengthensexisting, partnerships to effectively deliverenvironmental sustainability outcomes, Ensure Council and the people of East Gippslandare informed on ways to better protect, enhanceand enjoy our unique environment, Promote collective responsibility forenvironmental sustainability by engagingcommunity and supporting change.7

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17Council’s Commitmentto Environmental SustainabilityCOMMUNITY VISION 2030In November 2008, Council endorsed a visionfor the long–term future of East Gippsland. Thedocument described the way the future would be ina narrative form. It was developed with input fromcommunity members across the Shire.Council reviewed the vision in 2012 to checkthat it remains current and continues to reflect theaspirations of the East Gippsland community.Six major vision themes address a numberof long–term issues identified by thecommunity, including: Natural environment Local economy Community Land use and built environment Infrastructure Governance8

Annual Action Plan 2014/15COUNCIL PLAN 2013–17Goals relating to Place are:The Council Plan 2013–17 outlines howCouncil will contribute to the delivery of thecommunity’s aspirations identified within theCommunity Vision 2030.We promote, maintain and improve the quality ofour natural and built environments.The focus areas within the Council Plan are: Goal Two – Land use planning delivers vibrant,connected and productive places. People – We contribute to and support healthy,resilient and connected communities Place – We promote, maintain and improve thequality of our built and natural environments Economy – We contribute to a prosperous andsustainable region that takes advantage ofeconomic opportunities Stewardship – Our Shire is well managedand supported by a resourceful,responsive organisationThe main focus relating to Council’s commitmentto environmental sustainability is Place, howeverthere are a number of goals / actions in otherfocus areas that relate to or are a result of Council’scommitment to environmental sustainability. Goal One – Our resources are used in asustainable way. Goal Three – Our infrastructure meets currentand future community needs. Goal Four – Our natural assets are maintainedand enhanced.Each area of focus is defined by goals. Coreservices are identified that contribute to promoting,maintaining and improving the quality of ournatural and built environments. Within each goalare key outcomes describing what Council isworking towards to achieve the goals. SpecificCouncil activities and projects that outline how wewill achieve the outcomes for the year are listedunder each objective.9

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYSTRATEGY 2008–13The 2008 Strategy was the first environmentstrategy developed by East Gippsland Shire.It focussed on Council’s role in environmentalsustainability and identified ways to reduceresource consumption, protect land and biodiversityand make good decisions about land useand development.With strong supportive partnerships, which wereformed or strengthened during the developmentand implementation of the 2008 Strategy, andshared local goals, this provided the foundation toensure we have the support and capacity to adaptover time to a changing environment in an effectiveand sustainable way.In 2013/14 over 2 million in externalfunding has been successfully securedfor a number of projects focussingon environmental sustainability overthe coming years. These projects,around climate change mitigation andadaptation, are a high priority andwill guide the development of manyactions developed in this Strategy. Thefirst strategy was the basis for muchof this funding.The 2008 Strategy remains an important referencedocument for the Shire, its partners and thecommunity as we all continue our journey towardsensuring environmental sustainability remainsa priority and we strengthen our relationshipwith the environment and reduce our everydayenvironmental impacts.10A high level audit of the implementation ofthe 2008 Strategy was undertaken in 2013and concluded that: It was largely progressed with many actionseither completed or nearing completion. TheSustainability Unit, Council and its partnersshould be commended in fulfilling many ofthe actions in whole or part of what could beconsidered an ambitious first strategy. There were a series of challenges and/orbarriers to its implementation which have beenconsidered throughout the review process.Highlights from the 2008 Strategy include: Further Plans and Strategies developed includingEnergy Use Reduction Plan, Urban WaterwayGuidelines and Management Strategy, RoadsideVegetation Strategy and Climate ChangeAdaptation Action Plan. Energy efficiency projects had progressedincluding office lighting upgrades, BairnsdaleLivestock Exchange lighting upgrade and solarhot water upgrades. A number of community awareness programsestablished including smart living librarydisplay, sustainable gardening information, ‘ismy backyard creeping’, community planningsustainability toolkit, and ‘Our Environment’section on Council’s website. Landbank established for Council projectsrequiring vegetation offsets. Trust forNature covenants approved. Weeding,fencing and planting undertaken as part ofManagement Plans.

Annual Action Plan 2014/15 Coordination and participation at a number ofevents and environmental programs includingEast Gippsland Field Days, Sustainable HouseDay, Earth Hour, sponsorship of the RenewableEnergy Demonstration Trailer, and ClimateChange Forums. Environmental training programs for internalstaff including native vegetation, environmentallegislation, integrated energy management,water sensitive urban design, and sustainabledesign in the planning process. In 2013/14 over 2 million in external fundinghas been successfully secured for a number ofprojects focussing on environmental sustainabilityover the coming years. These projects, aroundclimate change mitigation and adaptation, are ahigh priority and will guide the development ofmany actions developed in this Strategy.Given this was the first strategy and subsequentlyEast Gippsland Shire’s commitment to having adedicated Sustainability Unit, a number of Actionsinitiated within the 2008 Strategy can now beconsidered ‘business as usual’ or ‘core services’that contribute to promoting, maintaining andimproving environmental sustainability withinEast Gippsland.CLIMATE CHANGEMitigation: Reducing emissions to createa Bright Future for East GippslandOver 1.7 million in funding from theAustralian Government’s CommunityEnergy Efficiency Program was secured in2013, to reduce costs from electricity andassociated emissions from the Shire’s topenergy sources.Council’s carbon footprint will be reducedby 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxideequivalent per year while utility costs willbe reduced by 400,000 each year.Projects include: Installing LED street lights to replaceall the 3,000 old street lights inresidential streets Upgrades to the Lakes Aquadomeand the Bairnsdale Aquatic andRecreation Centre with the latest energyefficient technology (including heatrecovery equipment, pool blankets,cogeneration, energy–smart lightingand more)installing energy efficientheating and cooling and LED lightingin the Bairnsdale Corporate Centre.This project is helping to create a BrightFuture for East Gippsland.11

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17CLIMATE CHANGEAdaptation: Planning early to adapt toclimate change impactsA further 360,000 of funding wassecured in 2013 from the StateGovernment as part of the VictorianAdaptation Sustainability and PartnershipProgram, East Gippsland Shire isleading three projects: Climate Riskand Resilience Information Provision forProperty Buyers; Concept design forcoastal flooding adaptation to progressand demonstrate implementation; andEnabling Gippsland Councils to integrateclimate risk and adaptation into local andregional strategies.A key influence towards securing thesefunds was Councils commitment toenvironmental sustainability that wasclearly articulated in the 2008 Strategy.These projects will be implemented overthe life of this Strategy and have guidedActions within Council’s Year 2 Action Plan.PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTALSUSTAINABILITY STRATEGYWith a strengthened emphasis on environmentalsustainability the focus areas and outcomes havebeen aligned with the Council Plan.The key objectivities of the Strategy are to: Ensure Council makes the pursuit ofenvironmental sustainability a priority whenundertaking its operations and fulfilling itsresponsibilities, Ensure Council develops new, and strengthensexisting, partnerships to effectively deliverenvironmental sustainability outcomes, Ensure Council and the people of East Gippslandare informed on ways to better protect, enhanceand enjoy our unique environment, Promote collective responsibility forenvironmental sustainability by engagingcommunity and supporting change.BUSINESS AS USUALThe following is an outline of what is nowconsidered ‘business as usual’ in respect toenvironmental sustainability: A shift in the direction towards an improvedculture of sustainability across the organisation Implement community awareness andbehavioural change programs to encourage andsupport reduced use of energy and resources. Undertake projects to reduce Shire’s resourceand energy consumption as an organisation. Lobby state and federal government forfunding and legislative support in relation toenvironmental sustainability policies, legislationand programs. Build on existing and create new partnershipsthat effectively deliver environmentalsustainability outcomes.12

The first Strategy embeddedcore values into ‘business asusual’ and will guide futuredirection.

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17 Provide expert advice and guidance on policydevelopment for Environmental Planning. Support local environment groups byproviding them with information relating tofunding opportunity as well as promoting theSustainability Gippsland website. Support the Environment and Sustainabilitystream of the East Gippsland Shire CommunityGrants program and participate in the selectionprocess for the environment stream. Develop and provide environmental sustainabilityinformation to the East Gippsland communitythrough website, media, social media andCouncil publications. Support ResourceSmart Schools Program,which is an initiative that helps schools embedsustainability and take action to minimise waste,save energy and water, promote biodiversity andreduce greenhouse gas emissions. Coordinate and encourage the East GippslandShire’s internal Resource Smart Action Groupto improve environmental performance, supportand educate staff in sustainability practices,build internal capacity for the implementation ofenvironmental sustainability. Strengthen and develop new relationships withagencies and authorities to ensure a coordinatedapproach towards environmental sustainabilityi.e. East Gippsland Catchment ManagementAuthority, Regional Catchment Strategy Support and enhance existing Natural ResourceManagement programs and activities. Implementation of policies and strategies thatsupport and encourage the protection andmanagement of remnant native vegetation andrevegetation.14 Keep informed of native vegetation regulationsand promote best practice within Shireoperations and to the broader community. Promotion, active involvement and connectionsto sustainability environmental programs andactivities developed by other organisations /agencies / authorities. Maintain active membership of key conservationmanagement networks, steering committees andwork groups, working with partner agenciesand community involved in sustainable naturalresource management planning and works. Support local groups that focus on sustainableland management and facility stewardship. Provide efficient and environmentally sensitivewaste services across the municipality. Work with business and industry to find solutionsand consider the benefits environmentalsustainability can have to their operations (e.g.reduced costs, improved image) Advocate for and implement land use policies,plans and standards that guide land usedevelopment and promote sustainable design,development and heritage conservation.Supported through continual reviewsand improvements to the East GippslandPlanning Scheme.

Annual Action Plan 2014/15RELATED STRATEGIES AND PLANSLocal government operates within the context of a broader governance framework, including theinternational community, and Commonwealth and State governments.Community Vision 2030Council Plan 2013–17Long–Term Financial PlanPlanning Scheme / Municipal Strategic StatementRelated EGSCStrategic DocumentsDomestic WastewaterManagement PlanWaste Facilities &Disposal StrategyGrowing East Gippsland:East Gippsland ShireEconomic DevelopmentStrategy 2014–18Emergency Management– heatwave,bushfires & floodsEnvironmentalSustainabilityStrategy 2014–17Climate ChangeAdaptation Action PlanRoadsideVegetation StrategyEast GippslandTrails StrategyVictorian Adaptation& SustainabilityPartnership (VASP): Climate risk & adaptationintegration into local andregional strategies Property informationEcological FireManagement Guidelines Coastal flooding adaptationdetailed concept designLandbank ProgramEnergy Use Reduction Plan(climate change mitigation)Community PlansPublic Open SpaceStrategy & ForeshoreManagement PlansLinks to external agency plansand strategiesSustainable Water Use PlanCommunity EnergyEfficiency Program(CEEP) – Bright Futures inEast Gippsland: LED street lights Corporate CentreResource Smart ActionPlan (internal)UrbanWaterway Guidelines Lakes Aquadome BARCUrban WaterwayManagement StrategyCommunity Health andWellbeing Plan15

Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014–17Victorian adaptation and sustainabilitypartnershipThe Victorian Adaptation and SustainabilityPartnership (VAS Partnership) is an establishedpartnership between Victoria’s 79 Councils andthe Victorian Government, previously known as theVictorian Local Sustainability Accord.The principles of the Partnership are to:A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)has been agreed by the Victorian Minister forEnvironment and Climate Change on behalf ofthe Victorian Government; the President of theMunicipal Association of Victoria on behalf of localgovernment in Victoria; and the Chair of the VASPartnership Ministerial Advisory Committee onbehalf of the VAS Partnership. build shared understanding; establish sharedlocal goals and priorities;The MoU formalises the partnership betweenstate and local government to increase clarity ofresponsibilities in climate change adaptation. develop long term strategic resourceallocation and funding;The MoU provides a framework for actionby setting out: pursue alignment and cooperation inservice delivery; and agreed principles to guide state and localgovernment work in climate change adaptation improve proc

on environmental sustainability over the coming years. These projects, around climate change mitigation and adaptation, are a high priority and will guide the development of many actions developed in this Strategy. The first strategy was the basis for much of this funding. The 2008 Strategy remains an important reference

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