Feedback wanted on 10 year Environment Strategy

Published on 07 February 2024

Continuing to reduce Council’s annual carbon emissions and diverting more waste from landfill are two of the key targets in a 10 year draft plan to improve sustainability and respond to climate change.

Mayor Kate Makin invited residents to provide feedback on the draft Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2024-2034, which has been released for public comment until Friday 5 March.

She said the draft strategy had been developed around input from a series of community engagement sessions last year, and other guiding documents such as the Community Vision 2040 and Council Plan 2021-2025.

“Future-proofing our communities in the face of climate change was one of the highest priorities to come out of the Community Vision three years ago,” Cr Makin said.

“We recognise that a healthy environment is critical to the wellbeing of our population and a key part of our economy and needs to be protected.”

She said the strategy outlined priorities around the Shire’s natural assets, climate change, circular economy and sustainable practices.

“It looks at what we are already doing and where we can improve,” Cr Makin said.

“For instance, there is an expectation that Council lead by example in our communities – so it is important that we make genuine efforts to reduce emissions from our operations and help our communities plan and respond to climate change.

“This means moving towards renewable power for Council plant, machinery and fleet, and more energy efficiency measures on Council facilities.

“We also need to help our communities reduce, re-use and recycle by providing effective tools to change behaviour.”

Mayor Makin said protecting the Shire’s natural assets was also a high priority.

“Loss of native vegetation and biodiversity is a significant challenge across Corangamite Shire.

“It’s important we protect, but also work together to restore habitat and improve biodiversity on both public and private land.”

Corangamite Shire Council’s Environment and Emergency Team will be at the Timboon Makers and Farmers Market on 11 February and the Heytesbury Show on 2 March for

informal question and answer sessions. These last two events follow engagement sessions in Skipton, Derrinallum, Terang and Camperdown during January and February.

Residents can also view the draft strategy and provide feedback via a short survey online at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/EandSStrategy

Feedback received during this time will be considered in the final Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2024-2034 before it is adopted by the Council in mid-2024.