Our Sustainable Future: The Yarra Environment Strategy 2000 - Executive summary

This is an extract from the Full Report (PDF version). First published: November 2000

Executive Summary

The Environment Strategy 2000 assesses the major environment issues facing the City of Yarra community and how the Council intends to respond. It sets out a clear framework of objectives and actions for achieving ecological sustainability, set within the context of a "working with our communities" approach to implementation.

Yarra's Environmental Charter

Yarra is committed to the four interlinked pillars of sustainability - ecological, social, cultural and economic. The Council has developed an Environmental Charter that underpins the Strategy, subtitled "Our Sustainable Future". This Charter states that Yarra will show:

1. A commitment to working with all stakeholders to help achieve ecological, social, cultural and economic sustainability.
2. A recognition of the importance of the environment to the community's wellbeing.
3. An acknowledgment that we are dependent upon natural systems and processes.
4. A commitment to help reverse, where possible, adverse environmental trends.
5. A recognition that humans share the environment with many other non-human species.
6. A recognition that we must change accepted habits to find more sustainable ways of managing the environment.
7. An acknowledgement that we must strive to improve our understanding of our society and its interaction with the natural environment.

Partnerships

Partnerships between the Council and other stakeholders form the basis for implementing the Strategy. The Strategy emphasises coordination and many of the actions involve existing and proposed partnerships both within the municipality and with external stakeholders.

Strategy Objectives and Actions

The Environment Strategy outlines objectives and actions in the following chapters:

• Environmental Management: (Looking after the environment);
• Sustainable Resource Management (Better managing our resources);
• Energy: (Minimising pollution & energy wastage);
• Air Quality: (Improving air quality);
• Transport and Access: (Better managing transportation);
• Sustainable Buildings and Urban Form (Environmentally friendly buildings);
• Biodiversity and Natural Heritage: (Protecting the environment); and
• Indigenous Land Management: (Involving Indigenous people).

Each chapter explores current issues and work being undertaken by Yarra, outlines potential levels of sustainability expressed as objectives and lists actions required for achieving these objectives. Some chapters also include quantitative targets.

The Future Direction

The Environment Strategy will provide Yarra with an integrated framework for action on a wide range of environmental issues including waste, resource management, energy use, air quality, transport, sustainable buildings and biodiversity conservation.

The Environment Strategy draws upon and will tie together key initiatives across the City of Yarra such as:

• The Storm Water Management Plan
• The Natural Heritage Study
• The Waste Management Strategy
• The Traffic & Parking Management Strategy
• The Yarra Planning Scheme

The ongoing implementation of the Environmental Strategy means that the City of Yarra is continuously trying to integrate improved environmental practices into all of its operations to work towards a sustainable future.

Strategic Directions

The eight strategic goals for Council action on the environment over the next 3 years and beyond include:

1. To coordinate environment policy across the whole of the organisation, to improve Yarra's monitoring of the local environment, and to help the community to understand different aspects of environmental management.
2. To promote the sustainable use of natural resources and the minimisation of waste.
3. To reduce the use of polluting forms of energy and improve the efficiency of energy use across the community.
4. To monitor and improve the quality of the air.
5. To reduce dependence on private transport and promote alternative transport options.
6. To promote sustainable building design and urban environments.
7. To protect and enhance the biodiversity of Yarra.
8. To involve the indigenous community in environmental management issues.

The Council has an important role to play leading and supporting the community to achieve a more sustainable future. The City of Yarra Environment Strategy 2000 and the Yarra Council Plan provide the vehicles for determining and delivering this role.

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Further information

Environmental Management Unit
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5026
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Yarra City Council

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)
The Department of Sustainability and Environment develops and manages State strategies for conservation and sustainable utilisation of Victoria's natural and cultural resources.  Published by Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Victoria).
Metropolitan Strategy: A vision for Melbourne Metropolitan Melbourne is one of the world's most livable and dynamic cities. The region is continually changing. To assist in planning for change the Department of Infrastructure is developing a new integrated transport and land use strategy. The strategy will help shape the future of metropolitan Melbourne and enhance the unique characteristics of the city and our quality of life.  Published by Department of Infrastructure (Vic)
Environment Australia Provides databases and publications to improve government decision-making and activities in environmental, social and related economic values.  Published by Department of the Environment and Heritage (Australia).
Australian Conservation Foundation Campaigns to protect Australia's environmental and natural heritage.
EcoRecycle Victoria Promotes recycling, waste minimisation, sustainable use of resources, and better disposal of residual waste.
Sustainable Energy Authority promotes government and Initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy.
Environment Protection Authority regulates environmental pollution.

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214

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