The draft strategy builds on the council’s two previous environmental strategies.
The strategy has five focus areas; environmentally accountable council, community engagement, partnerships, climate change adaption and mitigation, conservation of biodiversity, sustainable management of water, and sustainable management of waste.
Each focus area features a policy position, acknowledgements and actions, policy rationale, performance indicators (by 2026) and actions.
The focus areas are set to guide council’s actions regarding working towards asset protection, overcoming key challenges and achieving long-term goals.
Council’s long-term goals include:
• Community transitions towards a sustainable future;
• Environmental sustainability considered integrated across all council aspects;
• Council and partners working together to enhance environmental outcomes in Moira Shire;
• Net zero greenhouse gas emissions for council by 2050;
• Community to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate;
• Protecting and enhancing biodiversity in Moira Shire to achieve net gain;
• Improved management of water to support the community and environment; and
• Reduce consumption of products and waste to landfill.
The strategy also outlines geomorphology, climate, waterways, national parks, agriculture, ecotourism and significant plants and animals.
It also says based on current trends, the state’s climate can be expected to have double the number of hot days, more intense rainfall events, a 2.4ºC annual temperature increase on average and less cool season rainfall by 2050.
Mayor Libro Mustica said there were many threats facing the community, but council was not alone in these challenges.
“These threats also present opportunities for change, to better value our natural environment and work towards a sustainable future,” he said.
“While we can think about these issues in the global sense, we must act locally ... now is the time for everyone to do their part.”
The community can provide feedback on the draft ESS by filling in the survey online or by providing feedback in person at council service centres, emailing info@moira.vic.gov.au, or over the phone at (03) 5781 9222.
To view the draft ESS and to provide online feedback, visit https://www.moira.vic.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Draft-Environmental-Sustainability-Strategy-2022-2026
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