Harper Sercombe
Whittlesea’s council’s achievements in sustainability over the past 10 years were presented at a council meeting on Tuesday, June 27.
Council initially set out a list of 206 priority actions in 2012 to be completed by 2022. This was adopted in council in May of 2013.
The actions addressed key sustainability focus areas of water, land, climate change, urban development and the built environment, biodiversity and change strategies.
Administrator Peita Duncan said she was proud of how much council had achieved over the past 10 years, with all but three of the 206 actions set out in the plan completed, and the remaining actions incorporated into new strategies.
“This is a power of work from 2013 … I would like to thank those who came before us to set this strategy in place because it’s quite visionary and probably ahead of its time,” Ms Duncan said.
“Council has made remarkable progress towards achieving our long-term environmental goals, affirming our commitment to achieving a clean and sustainable future.”
Some of the achievements made by council include the use of 100 per cent renewable electricity in all council facilities, services and streetlights, upgrading 12,500 streetlights with LED and CFL lamps, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of Council’s streetlights and the planting of over 4500 trees annually in streets, open spaces, and community facility settings.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said she echoed Ms Duncan’s comments.
“I look forward to ongoing public reporting against our new strategy and long term plans,” Ms Wilson said.
Council’s current long-term environmental strategies and plans include the Sustainable Environment Strategy 2022-2032, Climate Change Plan 2022-2032, Biodiversity Strategy 2019-2029 and Rethinking Waste Plan 2021-2030.
Details- www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/plans
