Greater Geelong Council commits to enhanced environmental protections

The City of Greater Geelong has committed to protecting the region’s environment and addressing significant issues that impact the region.

The Environment Strategy 2020-2030, which is supported by a two-year action plan, was adopted by council following extensive community consultation.

Greater Geelong features diverse urban, rural and coastal environments, including 1,300 hectares of protected natural habitat managed by the City, 133 kilometres of coastline, indigenous vegetation and flora and fauna of state, federal and international significance.

The strategy’s key targets include:

• All City-managed operations to be carbon neutral by 2025

• All City-owned light fleet vehicles to be powered by zero-emission sources by 2030

• 100% renewable electricity supply for all City owned and operated buildings and streetlights by 2025

• Establish an additional 1,000 hectares of protected natural habitat by 2030

• Plant 1 million new trees in Greater Geelong by 2030

• Achieve a net gain of biodiversity within Greater Geelong during the term of this strategy and

• Halve the volume of organic materials going to landfill from residential waste bins between 2020 and 2030, with a target of 20% reduction by 2025.

40 submissions and 194 online comments were received during community and stakeholder consultation in May and June 2020, showing overwhelming support for the goals, principles and actions contained with the strategy.

Significant community feedback was received on the importance of addressing climate change including the need for a region-wide response and to further engage with Traditional Owners.

The changes made to the Environment Strategy based on community feedback include:

• Strengthened climate change commitments, including expansion of partnerships to reduce community emissions

• Increased the number and scope of biodiversity commitments and strengthened targets

• Increased commitments to collaborate with Traditional Owners to connect culture and biodiversity and

• Aligned the strategy with commitments to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

The Environment Strategy’s development was a key action within the Sustainability Framework 2020.

The strategy and action plan replace the Environmental Management Strategy 2014-2017 and are supported by strategic work including the Urban Forest Strategy, Stormwater Services Strategy and Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.

Image courtesy of The City of Greater Geelong