In April 2006, Council officially launched its Environment Strategy 2006-2010 and Stormwater Management Plan 2006. The Environment Strategy will guide environmental actions throughout the municipality for the next four years.
Developed to improve storm water quality across Hobsons Bay, the Storm water Management Plan is an integral part of the Council’s planning for improved environmental management and sustainability. One of the key actions of the plan is increasing the number of educational programs targeted at residential, industrial and commercial areas to decrease stormwater pollution, and increasing the use of stormwater treatment methods, such as wetlands and ponds, and increasing the uptake of rainwater tanks across the city.
The Environment Strategy brings together all of the Council’s environment initiatives into one framework; biodiversity and open space management, energy and greenhouse, air and noise pollution, water, waste and litter and community engagement and education.
A wide range of issues and actions are included in the Environment Strategy that will ensure that residents have access to the necessary resources to live well in a healthy and supportive environment. One of the first actions to come out of the Environment Strategy was the establishment of a Sustainable Environment Advisory Group, which oversees the implementation of the strategy, helps set priorities and promotes environmental awareness among the community.
Other environmental initiatives include the installation of 15 solar panels at the Altona Library to reduce energy consumption and trialing biofuels for the Council’s truck fleet.
