At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 November 2024, Council adopted its 10-year Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2024 - 2034.
The draft strategy was open for community consultation via the Engage Ararat website from 5 July to 16 September 2024 and aims to provide a clear direction for the sustainable development and environmental management of the municipality.
An Environmental Working Group, comprising of representatives from local Landcare, scientific experts, and land developers, were engaged with at all stages of the strategy's development.
It will be supported by measures of success to ensure continual alignment and progress towards ten objectives across three key themes of environmental sustainability:
1. Climate Change
1.1 We will contribute to climate change mitigation.
1.2 We are prepared for the impacts of climate change.
1.3 Council infrastructure, businesses and the community are adaptive and resilient
to a changing climate.
2. Natural Landscapes and Biodiversity
2.1. The environment is well monitored and understood, and conditions are maintained above legislatively required standards.
2.2. Threats to our environment are identified and controlled.
2.3. Native species, populations, and communities are enhanced.
3. Sustainable Living
3.1. The municipality is energy efficient, supported largely by renewable sources.
3.2. Water is used and reused effectively.
3.3. Waste generation is avoided. Reusable, recyclable and compostable products are diverted from landfill.
3.4. Our waste and energy needs are managed locally
Council would like to thank those who were a part of the Environmental Working Group:
- Dr Anthea Nicholls
- Dr Ayesha Burdett
- Marion Da Costa
- Russell Pearse
- Martin Purcell
- Janene Trickey, (Regional Manager Community and Partnerships Programs, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action)
- Prof Peter Gell, (Professor of Environmental Management, Federation University), and
- Lauren Jakob, (Ecology PhD Candidate, Federation University).
"We worked closely with the Environmental Working Group to create a plan for a more sustainable future for the municipality. This strategy demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability and provides practical guidelines and measurable targets to guide our future decision-making" says Dr Tim Harrison, CEO of Ararat Rural City Council.
Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2024 - 2034 can be found on our website at: https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/council/council-documents
