Campaspe Shire Council has adopted the 2022-26 Environment Strategy following release of the draft which attracted 12 submissions.
Mayor Rob Amos said the updated document captured the work developed across the past four years with key environmental partnerships, while incorporating community comments received through the “Campaspe Tomorrow” project, which involved extensive consultation to develop council’s vision.
“A particular focus on climate change featured through the community consultation process, leading to an updated long-term aim for council to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. This aim is ahead of both the Australian Government and Victorian Government target of 2050,’’ Cr Amos said.
“Other actions include increasing participation in the National Tree Day program, continuing with the Rural Tree Scheme and preparing a control plan for the Roadside Weeds and Pests Program.”
The strategy maintains four key themes, being:
• Conservation;
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation;
• Community engagement and partnerships; and
• Council’s responsibilities.
The strategy details the policy position and rationale, performance indicators and example actions for each of the themes,” Cr Amos said.
“Council thanks the community for their valuable input within the 12 public submissions, which led to several changes to the document.
“Council will now develop an action plan, detailing what will be targeted across the four-year period to achieve the performance indicators and long-term aims.”
The Environment Strategy is available on council’s website.
• Campaspe Shire Council has also adopted a Residential Land Review as part of the first step in reviewing current and future residential land across the shire.
Cr Amos said the report was released to the community for comment in September with seven comments received. As a result updates to the population forecast data have been made. However, other comments related to specific parcels of land with that level of detail not captured at this stage.
“The focus of this report is to ensure appropriate land is earmarked for residential needs and we have adequate supply to meet future demand,” Cr Amos said.