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Municipal Association of Victoria
Submission to the
Inquiry into Sustainable Communities
JULY 2004
INTRODUCTION
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak representative and lobbying body for Victoria's
79 councils. The MAV was formed in 1879 and the Municipal Association Act 1907 anointed the MAV
the official voice of local government in Victoria.
Today, the MAV is a driving and influential force behind a strong and strategically positioned local
government sector. Our role, broadly speaking, is to represent and advocate the interests of local
government, lobby for a 'fairer deal' for councils, raise the sector's profile, ensure its long-term security
and provide policy advice, strategic advice and insurance services to local government.
This submission is made by the MAV as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the development
of the effective role of Victorian local government authorities in environmental management.
The MAV places particular emphasis in the management of local environmental issues on:
The need for local government to be adequately represented on key decision-making fora;
The need for equitable resources for local government undertaking an increasingly large share of
environment management responsibilities; and
The recognition by other levels of government and stakeholders of local government’s role and
responsibilities in the environment management area.
This submission seeks to address the Terms of Reference below by:
Describing the role of local government in environmental sustainability including the role of the
MAV in developing programs to assist council, and the communities they represent, become
more environmentally sustainable;
Describing the structural and legislative framework in which local government acts on community
environment programs, with suggestions for improving and enhancing that framework;
Outlining a range of case studies that describe the breadth and type of programs and projects
undertaken by Victorian local government that seek to achieve community and household action
on environmental sustainability; and
Identifying opportunities and barriers to the work of local government in developing sustainable
communities.
Terms of Reference for Inquiry
The Environment and Natural Resource Committee of the Victorian Parliament is conducting an inquiry
into opportunities to promote changes in the ways we use energy, water and other natural resources at
the local community (not including industries) and household level to reduce environmental impacts.
According to the Terms of Reference the Committee is required to:
1. Examine what practical low-cost initiatives State or local governments can encourage that will:
a. Promote efficiency of water use and supply and use of energy
b. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
c. Increase the rate of recycling
d. Foster renewable energy use
e. Improve energy efficiency
2. Identify the barriers to increasing the rate of participation by individuals and households in
recycling and conserving water, energy and other resources and improving energy efficiency
3. Identify other low cost opportunities for communities to participate in promoting and encouraging
environmental sustainability
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................................................2
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................3
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................4
2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNTIES................................................................................6
3. MAV, STATE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER SUPPORTING PROGRAMS ..........................................................13
4. CASE STUDIES ...............................................................................................................................................................18
5. OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR LOCAL GOVENRMENT ......................................................................36
6. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................................39
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 3
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Local government plays an important role in community sustainability and environmental management.
The environmental activities of councils include both traditional infrastructure and service functions such
as stormwater management, litter and waste management, and parks and gardens. The role
increasingly involves developing functions in community environmental education, greenhouse
abatement and energy conservation, natural resource management and broader sustainability planning.
Operating at a level so close to the community it serves, gives local government a unique capacity to
make a difference.
This submission details the policy and legislative basis for local government’s role in local sustainability.
It documents 29 case studies that indicate the wide range of ways that councils can work with
individuals, households and communities to effect change in the use of water, energy, recycling and
greenhouse gas abatement.
1.1 Local Government and Community Sustainability
Most local government environment or sustainability programs engage with or work through individuals,
households and community to some degree.
In working with households, councils combine regulatory approaches such as statutory planning and
local laws with community and educative approaches. It is useful for councils to combine approaches,
as this is usually more effective than using one approach in isolation. The four categories below are
useful to describe the broad approaches which local government often undertakes action in the
environmental area.
Strategic (generally associated with the early steps of the pathway, as policy
development and plans establish the framework and extent of a council's
commitment);
Leadership and incentives (demonstrating to the public the importance the council
attaches to a program, and depending sometimes on partnership with State or
Commonwealth Governments or a business sponsor);
Education and information; and
Regulatory (appropriate for issues such as urban form and design as these are already
regulated via planning and development controls).
Councils usually develop a strategic approach to the range of environment issues it is dealing with.
There are at least 23 different types of issue specific or general environmental strategies that councils
across Victoria may have in place.
The issue of core funding for environmental officers is an identified barrier for many rural councils
1.2 Barriers
This submission identifies some of the issues facing local government in its role with community
sustainability such as:
Limited funds and resources available to run effective wide scale education/awareness
campaigns, and budgets compete with other demands (welfare, infrastructure).
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 4
Community is socially, economically and culturally diverse - a range of campaigns targeting
different parts of communities are often needed.
Councils are often the first point of contact on a wide range of environment issues but may not
have the technical skill in-house to answer.
1.3 Opportunities
This submission identifies that local government is well placed to work with communities and
households on sustainability because:
Councils already know and work closely with their community and are already leading by
example in many areas such as water, energy and waste management.
Council support messages at a local level and in a local context.
Councils have pre-existing community linkages through a range of environment, health, welfare
and community development programs.
1.4 Improving Community Environment Programs
This submission identifies several important avenues for improving community environmental
programs, including:
Recognition of the role of local government
State agencies need to engage fully with local government when delivering environment initiatives at
the community or household level.
Improve local government resources and capacity
Ongoing funding or opportunities for local government to raise its own funds are important for the
long-term success of community environment programs managed through local government.
Develop integrative programs that combine action on energy, water, waste etc
Household or business based programs that are integrative, i.e. consider a number of issues
concurrently are increasingly becoming popular.
Develop improved Behaviour Change programs, not just information programs
A strong trend in community environment programs is to develop programs around community based
social marketing (CBSM). This approach emphasises programs that target long lasting behaviour
change rather than just providing information.
Develop strong evaluation and monitoring approaches to measure effectiveness.
Another strong emphasis in many community and local government environment programs is to
develop strong evaluation and monitoring approaches to measure the effectiveness of programs.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 5
2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNTIES
2.1 Legislative and Policy Context
Local government plays an important role in community sustainability and environmental management.
The environmental activities of councils include both traditional infrastructure and service functions such
as stormwater management, litter and waste management and, parks and gardens. The role
increasingly involves developing functions in community environmental education, greenhouse
abatement and energy conservation, natural resource management and broader sustainability planning.
Local government legislation in Victoria does not define a role for local government in environmental
management, rather the Local Government Act 1989 is an enabling act, which allows a broad and varied
response by local government to the environmental challenges in their area. Councils are also affected
by and have various responsibilities under the provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the
Environment Protection Act 1970 and a range of State Environment Protection Policies (SEPP) under
that Act, and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Additionally councils are increasingly
involved at a regional level with a range of natural resource management strategies and programs.
Given this legislative approach, a broad number of council functional areas can impact on and make up
a council’s environmental management role. This makes it difficult to draw a firm line or definition
around local government’s core ‘environmental’ management role. As well as the more obvious
‘environmental’ function areas, such as asset management, infrastructure and roads development, and
community health can also be seen to have important ‘environmental’ aspects.
Operating at a level so close to the community it serves, gives local government a unique capacity to
make a difference.
International
Sustainable communities can be described in terms of environmental, social and economic outcomes
(the “Three Pillars of Sustainability”). The particular challenges, and their priorities, will be different for
different local communities. Local government has a recognised integrative role in community
sustainability and has traditionally addressed local sustainability through the Local Agenda 21 model.
Local Agenda 21 encourages all local authorities to enter into dialogue with their communities on
developing an action plan for sustainability that seeks to integrate social, environmental and economic
sustainability. This approach was recently re-endorsed by local government representatives at the 2002
Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development and new action badged as the ‘Local Action
21’. For more information on this see the Local Government Declaration presented to the World
Summit1.
The MAV has established a statewide partnership of councils involved in environmental sustainable
development (ESD) /Triple Bottom Line/Local Agenda and Local Action 21 initiatives. The Partnership
aims to promote and assist councils undertaking programs and initiatives in environmental sustainable
development and Local Agenda and Action 212.
Partnerships
In considering local government and community level programs and approaches to waste management,
energy, greenhouse, water and other resource areas, partnerships between State Government and its
agencies are very important. Partnerships avoid duplication and confusion over roles and messages to
householders and communities. State Government and its agencies are better resourced and often
have the overarching responsibility to undertake community education and information programs. For
example recent statewide campaigns on water conservation.
1
http://www.iula.org, World Summit on Sustainable Development, Local Government Declaration
2
http://mav.asn.au/environment/environment.htm
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 6
For household and community sustainability, local government often plays a supporting role in modeling
and conveying coordinated statewide messages at a local level.
Associations such as the MAV play a facilitation, co-ordination and advocacy role, often linking councils
and state authorities together.
Industry also has an important role at the household and community level in working with local
government. For example, industry associations, developers, plumbers, appliance retailers, hardware
stores, nurseries.
2.2 Local Sustainability - Approaches of Victorian Local Government
Most local government environment or sustainability programs engage with or work through individuals,
households and community to some degree.
In working with households, councils combine regulatory approaches such as statutory planning and
local laws with community and educative approaches. It is useful for councils to combine approaches
that are usually more effective than using one approach in isolation. The four categories below are
useful to describe the broad approaches which local government often undertakes action in the
environmental area.
Strategic (generally associated with the early steps of the pathway, as policy development
and plans establish the framework and extent of a council's commitment);
Leadership and incentives (demonstrating to the public the importance the council attaches
to a program, and depending sometimes on partnership with State or Commonwealth
governments or a business sponsor);
Education and information; and
Regulatory (appropriate for issues such as urban form and design as these are already
regulated via planning and development controls).
Diagram 1. on the following page is a representation of the range of issues and strategies that councils
often address in environmental sustainability.
It shows that councils combine individual strategies into integrated strategies such as Agenda 21 or
Greenhouse. It also shows that councils address the issues across the spectrum from regulation to
community.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 7
Diagram 1. Sustainability and environment approaches in Victorian local government
Council as elected government – representing local community interest in transport,
forest issues, water pricing, GMOs, toxics, biodiversity..….
COMMUNITY COUNCIL Planning
Community REGULATION Scheme
Approaches
Advocacy Municipal Public Health Council Plan/Corporate Plan Municipal Strategic
Plan, Community Safety Statement (MSS)
Plan, Township/place
Education strategies
Zones
Leadership
Integrative sustainability strategies: Overlays
Service
provision
Local Sustainability/Local Agenda 21, Permits
Green Purchasing, Greenhouse Strategies, Transport Strategies, conditions
Information
enforcement
Community
Waste Water Biodiversity / Energy and Coastal and Environment
engagement native vegetation greenhouse foreshore issues in
built form
Citizenship
Open
Waste Stormwater Greenhouse Coastal action Local Laws,
space/parks
Management Management strategies plans fees, fines
management
Plan – garbage, plans/drainage
recycling, management Energy Audits Foreshore and permits
Native
greenwaste, hard strategies
vegetation
waste Household Public
permits
wastewater Lighting
Litter strategies
plans (septics) Weed
management
Landfill /transfer
station Water
management conservation
plans
2.3 Strategic Approaches
Councils usually develop a strategic approach to the range of environment issues they are dealing
with.
There are at least 23 different types of issue specific or general environmental strategies that
councils across Victoria may have in place3 (see Table 2.).
The most widespread environmental strategies in place in Victorian local government
are waste management plans, litter minimisation plans, roadside conservation
plans and stormwater management plans.
The next most common strategies are local conservation strategies, native
vegetation mapping, open space plans, greenhouse strategies and
environmental or buy recycled purchasing plans.
The least common strategies, occurring in 10% or fewer councils include EMS (ISO
14001), SOE reports, wetlands policies, Domestic Wastewater Plans, Salinity Plans
and Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plans (NEIPs).
Metropolitan councils are much more likely to have developed an environmental or
local conservation strategy. For example, 63% of metropolitan and 50% of interface
councils have developed an environmental or local conservation strategy. This
compares to only 15% of rural councils.
The issue of core funding for environmental officers is an identified barrier for many rural councils.
Councils may also develop other integrative strategies that focus on aspects of community
sustainability. For example Municipal Public Health Plans under the Health Act 1958 incorporate
strong links to environment issues, community building and transport for example 4.
Councils also work closely with community on strategies such as Community Safety Plans,
Township and Place Strategies, often which involve environmental aspects.
3
2002 Victorian Local Government Environment Management Survey: Programs, Resources and Management
Approaches. Main Report. Dec 2002, MAV. Response rate 76/78 councils (97%)
4
Municipal Public Health Planning Framework. For further information see the Department of Human Services website
www.dhs.vic.gov/au
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 9
Table 2. Issues Based Environment strategies in Victorian local government
EXISTING IN PROGRESS TOTAL
Strategy # of % of # of % of % of
councils councils councils councils councils
WASTE MINIMISATION 49 66 11 15 81
STORMWATER MANGEMENT PLAN 33 43 27 36 79
FIRE PREVENTION 47 63 5 7 70
LITTER MINIMISATION 36 47 9 12 59
NATIVE VEGETATION MAPPING 26 34 18 24 58
ROADSIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN 32 42 11 15 57
BUY RECYCLED ACTION PLAN/ ENVIRONMENTAL PURCHASING 25 33 18 24 57
CODE
OPEN SPACE PLAN 26 34 11 15 49
LOCAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY 27 36 6 8 44
NATURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE PLAN 21 28 10 13 41
WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN 15 20 15 20 40
NEIGHBOURHOOD CHARACTER STUDY 14 18 12 16 34
GREENHOUSE STRATEGY 12 16 12 16 32
DRAINAGE STUDY 17 22 6 8 30
INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STRATEGY 12 16 6 8 24
LOCAL AGENDA 21/SUSTAINABILITY PLAN 14 18 2 3 21
COASTAL MANAGEMENT/FORESHORE PLAN 11 15 5 7 22
ENERGY CONSERVATION 9 12 7 9 21
EMS (ISO 14001) 8 11 4 5 16
SOE REPORT 4 5 7 9 14
WETLANDS POLICY 4 5 3 4 9
DOMESTIC WASTEWATER PLAN 3 4 4 5 9
SALINITY MANAGEMENT PLAN 3 4 4 5 9
NEIP (Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plans)* 0 0 4 5 5
2.4 Resources
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 5 estimated that Victorian local government
spent approximately $598.6m in 2000-01 on environmental management.
The ABS estimates that the major expenditure area for environmental protection was
waste management $237.2m, land management $169.8m and water management
$33.4m (probably stormwater infrastructure).
MAV survey data indicates that State and Federal grants made up only 9% of local
government spending on environmental and sustainability activities. This is similar to
the ABS estimate of 7%.
5
Commonwealth of Australia (2002), Australian Bureau of Statistics, Report No. 4611.0 Environmental Expenditure, Local
Government, Australia, 2000-2001.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 10
80% of councils stated that resources were required for on-ground activities and
actions, and over 50% specified that resources were needed for strategic planning and
to fund environment officer positions.
73% of councils have at least one officer who is a dedicated environment officer or
environment manager. This figure drops to 57% for rural councils with at least one
officer who is dedicated to environmental management.
2.5 Strategic Sustainable Development Models
Agenda 21 is the global framework which guides us along the pathways to sustainable
development. Agenda 21 emerged from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Chapter
28 of Agenda 21 sets out a clear role for local government in sustainable development through
a Local Agenda 21 approach.
A Local Agenda 21 plan usually takes the form of an overarching strategic plan where a local
government, through a process of dialogue with its community, sets out priority actions to
achieve sustainable development outcomes.
29% of all Victorian councils consider sustainable development and Local Agenda
21 a ‘high’ priority issue for their council to be involved with. It was rated ‘high’ by
52% of metro councils but only 10% of rural councils.
2.6 Innovation in Local Sustainability Continues
Victorian local government has considerable experience, and a strong community profile, in the
development and implementation of local sustainability strategies and programs. A third of all
councils and over 60% of metropolitan councils have, or are developing, an overarching
sustainability strategy.
Many councils are directly involved in sector programs addressing environmental challenges
including greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, water resource management and “green”
purchasing. Leading innovators include Shire of Yarra Ranges, Mornington Peninsula Shire
Council, City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, City of Bayside, City of Moreland plus many
others (see case studies in chapter 4).
16 councils (21%) in Victoria have developed an overarching Local Sustainability
or Local Agenda 21 Strategic Plan. Six of these plans were developed in 2002.
The rest were developed over the last four years.
A further nine councils (12%) indicated that they were in the process of
developing or intending to develop a local sustainability plan in the next few years.
Once completed 33% councils in Victoria will have an overarching Local
Sustainability or Local Agenda 21 Strategic Plan.
The metropolitan region had the highest number of councils 14 (61%) with, or
developing, an overarching Local Sustainability or Local Agenda 21 Strategic
Plan.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 11
2.7 Community Engagement in Sustainability
As well as specific programs to work with community (see case studies in this submission),
councils often establish more formal approaches and ongoing structures such as committees to
engage with community.
Of those councils who have or are developing a sustainability plan 64% have sought to
engage their community in the plan’s development. This has occurred by a variety of
mechanisms. For example, 56% of councils set up working groups, 44% utilised surveys
and 41% adopted community visioning exercises.
Of those councils that have or are developing a sustainability plan almost three-quarters
(72%) have set up ongoing processes or structures to specifically engage the community
in sustainability.
2.8 Working with Households
When local government works with households it is important to consider the range of tools
available to councils to impact on sustainability in the home or with individuals. Local government
is often not the regulator or the level of government with primary carriage of regulation for issue
areas specific to households. For example, with water conservation, many measures are
managed by state agencies or water authorities. An example is appliance labelling or water pricing
which are regulated by the State. Another example is building or plumbing regulations which are
often not the direct responsibility of local government.
However, local government can work effectively with their local communities, in partnership with
state agencies to deliver effective community level programs and effective information
dissemination.
See the discussion in Chapter 5 about suggestions to improve the impact of local government’s
role in community sustainability.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 12
3. MAV, STATE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER SUPPORTING PROGRAMS
This chapter describes the range of State, regional and corporate support programs that interface
between local government, local communities and households. It also describes the MAV
programs designed to assist local government in their environmental management role.
There is a great diversity of programs, either targeting different issues (water, energy, waste etc) or
offering an integrated approach.
Most programs are Australian or Victorian based programs and solutions. However, some are
international models such as the Natural Step, Water Campaign™ (ICLEI), Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI).
Councils work in partnership with program providers, often pooling experience. Some programs,
particularly those developed by State Government, often offer councils funding support while
others require councils to join on a membership basis. However, programs can sometimes
duplicate existing resources and or not align with Victorian statutory or local government planning
processes.
In looking at cost effective programs in Victoria and in developing its own programs to support
councils, the MAV has sought to address councils concerns about support programs. Councils
report that:
They prefer programs which take account of Victorian circumstances and statutory
requirements to avoid unnecessary additional work by councils.
Programs should be developed through partnership with councils in Victoria to ensure that
the implementation is effective and reflects the reality of local government in this state.
Program funding for councils needs to be realistic and sustained. Councils are reporting
weariness with short-term, once-off funding programs.
Programs that duplicate existing approaches or that do not work in partnership with State
approaches add a level of unnecessary confusion in the local government sector.
Councils often report being overwhelmed by the choice of different programs available to
them.
Effective programs offer opportunities for collegiate learning and knowledge sharing by the
local government sector.
Strategic programs have been beneficial to councils in pursuing and developing innovative
approaches to community environmental management.
3.1 MAV Programs to Support Sustainable Communities
The MAV conducts a range of activities to develop local government's role in effective
environmental management. Some of the activities it undertakes include lobbying for adequate
resourcing and funding, representing the sector in key decision-making forums, and ensuring that
the sector's responsibilities in environmental management are duly recognised.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 13
The MAV also manages projects and programs such as:
The Eco-Buy™ Program - (formerly the Local Government Buy Recycled Alliance)
ECO-Buy is Victoria's local government green purchasing program. The program works with
Victorian councils to increase their purchasing of recycled, greenhouse friendly and
environmentally preferred products.
The program is a joint initiative of the MAV, EcoRecycle Victoria, the State authority
responsible for waste and litter management and the Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, Victoria's
plan to reduce greenhouse emissions. ECO-Buy is an expansion of the Local Government Buy
Recycled Alliance (LGBRA), which was established in April 2000. The change of name
occurred late 2002 to reflect the expanded focus of the program brought about by the
additional funds provided through Victoria's Greenhouse Strategy. The Local Government Buy
Recycled Alliance focused solely on purchasing products with recycled content. ECO-Buy has
expanded this focus to also include greenhouse friendly and environmentally preferred
products.
The Clearwater Program - the Stormwater Information Exchange
The Clearwater Program is a joint initiative of the MAV and the Stormwater Industry
Association of Victoria (SIAV). Clearwater (formerly the Stormwater Capacity Building
Program) began in October 2002, assisted by funding through EPA Victoria as part of the
Victorian Stormwater Action Program (VSAP).
The Clearwater Program aims to effectively create an environment that facilitates cultural
change in the adoption of sustainable environmental management practices for urban
stormwater by local government and industry professionals across Victoria.
The Integrating Local Land-use Planning and Regional Catchment Planning Project
The MAV and the Victorian Catchment Management Council (VCMC) initiated the Integrating
Local Land Use Planning and Regional Catchment Planning Project for the 10 catchment
management and land protection regions of Victoria. The project was commenced as a joint
initiative in 2000, with a steering committee established of representatives from local
government, state agencies and catchment management authorities, the Victorian Catchment
Management Council (VCMC) and the MAV.
The overall aim of the project has been to achieve greater integration of regional catchment
management planning and local land use planning by consistent interpretation of Regional
Catchment Strategies in municipal planning schemes across Victoria.
Sustainable Water Use Plans
The Sustainable Water Use Plans Program is a partnership between the MAV and Melbourne
Water. The Program aims to facilitate water conservation by making available to councils a
simple, consistent and integrated planning framework, called Sustainable Water Use Plans.
These plans provide a straightforward and flexible template that enables councils to conserve
water and allow them to promote water conservation within their communities. Implementing a
Sustainable Water Use Plan also allows councils to demonstrate efficient water management
practices to their communities.
The Sustainable Water Use Plan approach fully integrates with current Victorian local
government planning responsibilities such as stormwater and septics management (see SEPP
Water of Victoria), rather than duplicate or require councils to embark on a complex new
program.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 14
Domestic Wastewater Management Project and Smart Septics Program
Over the last number of years, the MAV has been working closely with the EPA and a range of
partner organisations to improve local government capacity to address the significant risks
posed by stormwater contamination to our waterways and to public health through the
management of domestic wastewater (septics).
With funding assistance from the EPA’s Victorian Stormwater Action Program (VSAP), this
collaboration will continue throughout 2004 with Smart Septics Program to be managed by the
MAV. This program will, over the next year, explore and develop a number of planning and
management tools that will further enhance and complement previous initiatives in this
important area of capacity building within local government.
3.2 State Local Sustainability Accord
The MAV is working with the State Government and other environment and local government
groups to develop a State-local government Sustainability Accord, which will examine ways to
develop further recognition of local government’s role in sustainability. The Accord will also
examine measures to streamline partnerships between the two spheres of government and avoid
duplication.
3.3 Other MAV Initiatives
Major policy issues of interest to the MAV and Victorian local government include water, catchment
management, waste management and sustainable development.
MAV information services for member councils include a monthly environment e-bulletin and
regular newsletters - 'Your Local Environment', 'Water Ways' and 'What Goes Around Comes
Around'.
The MAV has an ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the effective role of
Victorian local government authorities in environmental management. The MAV co-funds with the
Commonwealth, the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator, whose role it is
to facilitate engagement of local government in regional NRM programs and agencies such as
catchment management authorities.
MAV Environment Programs have been recognised for their achievements
United Nations Association World Environment Day Award Winner 2004
ECO-Buy is the 2004 winner of the United Nations World Environment Day National Award in the
Local Government Awards category for Best Specific Environmental Initiative.
Banksia Award Finalist
Clearwater, the innovative stormwater capacity building program run by the MAV in partnership with
the Stormwater Industry Association of Victoria (SIAV) and the EPA was a national finalist in the
2004 Banksia Awards, in the government leading by example category.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 15
3.4 Other Environment and Sustainability Capacity Building Programs
The list below demonstrates the range of support and capacity building programs that target
community level environmental sustainability, and often work with local government.
Airwatch Victoria - Environment Protection Authority
Best Practice Composting Green Organics - EcoRecycle Victoria
Best Practice Kerbside Recycling Program - EcoRecycle Victoria
Breathe the Benefits - Department of Environment and Heritage
Cities for Climate Protection- International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives,
Australian Greenhouse Office
Clear the Air- Department of Environment and Heritage
Clearwater- Municipal Association of Victoria, Stormwater Industry Association of Victoria
Community Action Fund - Australian Greenhouse Office
Cool Communities - Australian Greenhouse Office, Environment Victoria
ECO-Buy - Municipal Association of Victoria, EcoRecycle Victoria, Department of
Sustainability and Environment
Ecological Footprint - Environment Protection Authority
Environment Management Systems - Environment Protection Authority, Department of
Sustainability and Environment, Department of Treasury and Finance
Green Gardeners - Sustainable Gardening Australia
Green Plumbers - Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia
Green Streets - Village Green
Greenhouse Calculator - Environment Protection Authority
Greenhouse Program - Environment Protection Authority
Local Agenda 21 - United Nations
Local Energy Efficiency Demonstration - Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria
Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plans - Environment Protection Authority
Savewater - Yarra Valley Water
Smart Water Fund - Victorian water authorities
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 16
Smogbusters - Environment Victoria, Community Conservation Council, Department of
Environment and Heritage
Sustainability Fund - Environment Protection Authority
Sustainable Schools - CERES, Gould League
Sustainability Street - Environs Australia, Vox Bandicoot
Travel Smart - Department of Infrastructure
Urban Tripper - Environment Victoria
Victorian Stormwater Action Program - Environment Protection Authority
Waste Wise Programs - EcoRecycle Victoria
Waterwatch - Department of Sustainability and Environment
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 17
4. CASE STUDIES
The following chapter sets out examples of successful projects and programs run by local
government that seek to improve the way individuals, households and communities target energy,
water, waste and recycling issues.
These case studies are examples of current programs undertaken by some local governments in
Victoria but it is by no means an exhaustive list, as many other councils have excellent programs
and projects in a wide range of areas. The MAV would like to thank all those councils who
contributed examples or time to assist in this summary.
Each short case study has a current contact name, number or website for more detailed follow up.
Surf Coast Shire Council – Anglesea Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plan
(NEIP)
City of Boroondara - Community Environment Actions 2003/04
Buloke Shire Council - Donald Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plan (NEIP)
Campaspe Shire Council - Environmental Rate Rebates
City of Casey - Comingled Recycling
Cities of Darebin, Melbourne, Yarra, Moreland, Moreland Energy Foundation and energy
supplier AGL - Community Power
City of Darebin - Reservoir Civic Centre
Frankston City Council - Water Initiatives
Macedon Ranges Shire Council - Community Run Bus Service
Manningham City Council - Sustainable Schools Program
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
City of Melbourne - Travel Smart
City of Melbourne - Trial ‘Greensaver’ Efficiency Program
Maroondah City Council - Waste Education
Mildura Rural City Council - Water Management
Moreland City Council - Sustainability Streets
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - Litter Education
Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Biosphere Project
Nillumbik Shire Council - Green Waste Collection
Nillumbik Shire Council - Land Management Incentive Programs
City of Port Phillip - Inkerman Oasis
City of Port Phillip - Sustainable Living At Home
Greater Shepparton City Council - Improved Bicycle Network and ‘Cycle Instead’
Program
Greater Shepparton Council - Goulburn Broken Urban Stormwater Awareness and
Training
Cities of Moonee Valley and Port Phillip - Smogbusters – Way to School
City of Whittlesea - Walking School Bus
City of Yarra - High-rise Recycling Program
Shire of Yarra Ranges - Birdsland Environmental Education Centre
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 18
4.1 Surf Coast Shire Council - Anglesea Neighbourhood Environment
Improvement Plan (NEIP)
Located within the municipality of the Surf Coast Shire Council, Anglesea is on the Great
Ocean Road approximately 100km south west of Melbourne. Around 2000 people are
permanent residents, while holiday periods can see the population swell to more than 10,000.
Council, in conjunction with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and other authorities,
have responded to local concern over sustainability of the area by helping to develop a pilot
Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plan (NEIP) for Anglesea. Council has been
integral to the process providing facilitation, staffing, office space and funds and are seen as a
leading partner in the process.
The objectives of the pilot NEIP are: building community capacity; protecting Anglesea’s
natural ecological values; identifying and developing strategies to reduce Anglesea’s ecological
footprint; and sharing the learning of the pilot NEIP with others.
An Anglesea Leadership Group has been formed, consisting of half project partners including
council and half local residents who are actively engaged in the NEIP process. Under the
NEIP, Anglesea has become a Cool Community with the Australian Greenhouse Office. Thirty
households have had training to conduct their own water, energy and waste audits. They are
now eligible for up to $800 worth of water and energy saving products. Several households are
now converting to solar hot water services and installing water tanks while many others are
making a variety of changes around their homes. Another recent NEIP outcome has been a
commitment to making Anglesea a plastic bag-free town.
A draft submission of the NEIP will soon be submitted to the EPA and the process of
community education and capacity building is ongoing.
Contact Details
Craig McKiernan, Surf Coast Shire Council, 03 5261 0553, cmckiernan@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
4.2 City of Boroondara – Community Environment Actions 2003/04
The City of Boroondara is a predominantly residential municipality located in Melbourne’s inner
and middle eastern suburbs. Twelve suburbs are home to over 148,500 residents. Council is
committed to preserving and enhancing the environment for future generations. The following
is a brief description of sustainability programs directed at the community in 2003 and 2004.
Boroondara Pre-School in Balwyn North won Boroondara’s Water Conservation
Competition. The mayor presented a voucher for $1000 to fund the installation of a
rainwater tank in their new play area, to make water conservation a central feature of
the pre-schoolers’ activities. ARI Plastanks and council each provided $500 towards
the prize.
City of Boroondara has worked in partnership with the Department of Environment
and Heritage and the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd to complete energy
assessments for 10 retail businesses in Boroondara. The assessments involved an
energy bill analysis and a walk through audit looking at equipment and operations.
The Department of Environment and Heritage funded the program. Implementation of
all of the recommendations, at an investment cost of around $6,706, will provide
annual energy and greenhouse emissions savings of around $5,606 and 68 tonnes
Co2 per year. The payback period is approximately 1.2 years. Proprietors have
committed to implement energy actions that have a payback period of one year or
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 19
less. A case study will be prepared for each business and the program will be
evaluated in late 2004.
A voucher scheme offering free indigenous plants to residents was well received with
all 640 vouchers being issued within four weeks of the offer being advertised. As a
result 3,200 indigenous plants will be claimed by residents to plant in their gardens, to
increase habitat available to native animals.
Council hosted a Green Gardeners greywater and rainwater session in March 2004,
in partnership with Sustainable Gardening Australia and Melbourne Water. This was
well attended by 50 local professional landscapers and nursery workers. The
seminar detailed regulations relating to rainwater and greywater reuse.
The first 450 households that downsized their household waste bin or purchased a
green waste bin or compost bin after 27 April 2004 received two free compact
fluorescent globes. This offer was made possible through a grant provided by the
Australian Greenhouse Office. The program aimed to encourage residents to
become more waste and energy wise. A sample of the participating residents will be
contacted later in 2004 to gauge the success of the program.
City of Boroondara hosted a World Environment Day 2004 lunch for Friends Groups
to acknowledge the voluntary work of Boroondara's environmental Friends Groups.
The lunch was attended by 32 members of the community and council staff who
support the Friends Groups. Many guests expressed their gratitude to council for
acknowledging their work.
Contact Details
Anne Tourney, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, 03 9278 4532,
Atourney@boroondara.vic.gov.au
4.3 Buloke Shire Council – Donald Neighbourhood Environment Improvement
Plan (NEIP)
The Buloke Shire is located in north western Victoria, occupying an area of 8,000 square
kilometres and with a population of 7,939 people. Agriculture is the primary source of both
income and employment in the area, with grain production the major industry. Other forms of
agriculture, small industry, retail and community sectors provide other employment and
income.
The Donald Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plan (NEIP) centres on the township of
Donald, which lies within the Avon-Richardson catchment in one of the most severely salinity-
affected areas in north central Victoria. There are real threats to the town’s environmental
assets and subsequently to its economic and social wellbeing.
The Donald NEIP has been developed in recognition of the serious issues facing the area. The
Buloke Shire Council has worked in partnership with the local community, other agencies and
local industry to develop a proposal for the NEIP which is due to be submitted to the
Environment Protection Authority this year. The proposal identifies the issues as well as the
stakeholders who are interested in contributing to the process. When this has been approved,
the Plan will be developed, which will identify specific roles and responsibilities for each of the
stakeholders.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 20
Council has auspiced the proposal and will link the final plan into their strategies and
operations as well as helping to facilitate the project between the various stakeholders. The
NEIP is an excellent chance for local government to work with the local community to address
environmental issues of importance to the community at the local level and significant
groundwork has been covered in the proposal stage.
Contact Details
Kevin Spence, Landcare Coordinator, 0408 353 966 or Peter Rogers Buloke Shire Council 03
5497 1300
4.4 Shire of Campaspe - Environmental Rate Rebate
The Shire of Campaspe is located 180km north of Melbourne with the Murray River as its
northern boundary. It is home to around 36,300 residents who live in a number of townships or
on farming properties.
The shire is committed to environmental management and has taken a leadership position in
relation to landcare. Their Environmental Rate Rebate program has been running for the last
three years and is one of approximately 20 Victorian municipalities offering a similar scheme.
The aim is to recognise landowners who practice environmentally responsible natural resource
management and to encourage others to do so. Under the scheme, council offers a five per
cent Environmental Rate Rebate for the completion of environmental works.
Works that are eligible for the rebate include: the control of pest weeds and animals; planting
locally native trees or shrubs; protecting and enhancing existing vegetation; managing and
protecting natural waterways and wetlands; and erosion control works.
In the previous two years, over 1000 landholders have taken up the rebate. Community
consultation and audits have been undertaken across the shire to gauge ways in which the
program can be improved. Community suggestions are currently being incorporated into the
program, which is expected to significantly increase uptake of the scheme.
Contact Details
Sally Dickinson, Conservation Officer, 03 5481 2200
4.5 City of Casey – Comingled Recycling
The City of Casey stretches from the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, to a small section of
coast along Western Port Bay and contains five distinct geographic regions. It is the fastest
growing municipality in Victoria and third fastest in Australia, with an existing population of over
205,000 expected to rise to 300,000 by 2020.
Providing best practice kerbside recycling to such a fast growing municipality is not a simple
task but the City of Casey has committed to a fully comingled mobile bin system, collected
fortnightly. The change was prompted by the community’s demand for a system that is
convenient, safe and environmentally friendly.
The services were implemented as a direct result of council’s Waste Management Strategy
Plan (2000), which was developed with community input that included surveys, phone calls,
community briefings and was also guided by a community focus group.
While the old system collected over 13,000 tonnes of recyclables per year, the new recycling
system has seen this amount increase by 20 per cent with more than 16,000 tonnes of
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 21
recyclables collected per year. This is expected to increase as residents become more familiar
with the system.
Contact Details
Michael Jansen, Team Leader Environmental Services, 03 9705 5200
4.6 Cities of Darebin, Melbourne, Yarra, Moreland, Moreland Energy
Foundation and energy supplier AGL - Community Power
Community Power is a not-for-profit renewable energy buying group made up of the Cities of
Darebin, Melbourne, Yarra, Moreland, Moreland Energy Foundation and energy supplier AGL.
The objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst achieving cost competitive prices
and good consumer service for households, businesses and organisations within the partner
council areas.
The project was initiated by the City of Darebin in response to a proposal by a local community
group. Community Power works on the principle of obtaining a better price and conditions
through the increased purchasing power of a large group. The buying group builds in an
optimal percentage of Green Power dependent on the savings achieved through the bulk
purchase of conventional or ‘black’ electricity. There are now over 850 participants taking
advantage of four contract options, which provide between 5% and 100% Green Power.
Community Power also delivers ongoing energy management programs for group members,
which include energy audits of homes and small businesses and education and awareness
programs. Recent programs have included a series of three workshops held with a total of
100 participants. Residents were given an audit form to complete at home that, once
completed and returned, made them eligible for up to $50 worth of energy saving goods. This
was designed to encourage residents to take responsibility for their actions while providing
incentives and knowledge to reduce energy consumption. Funds have also been received for
an energy assessor to undertake 50 household audits, available to residents interested in or
already members of Community Power. The auditor examined past bills and energy
appliances, completed a report and provided participants with up to $100 worth of energy
efficient appliances and accessories.
Contact Details
AGL 1300 762 245 or Alex Tzikas, City of Darebin, 03 8470 8220
http://www.communitypower.org/
4.7 City of Darebin - Reservoir Civic Centre
The City of Darebin is home to over 130,000 residents and is one of the largest, most diverse
communities in Victoria. Bounded by Darebin Creek to the east and Merri Creek to the west,
Darebin is located within 20 minutes of Melbourne Airport, the Melbourne CBD and Port of
Melbourne.
Environmental sustainability within the Darebin community is one of council’s major aims. The
Reservoir Civic Centre, completed in August 2004, has been designed to provide for the needs
of a diverse community based on triple bottom line principles and is growing into a key
community educational resource around sustainable living.
There is a strong emphasis in the design, construction and management of the new Centre
and, on environmental sustainability with special consideration for energy efficiency, waste
minimisation and water efficiency. This is in keeping with council’s commitment to the ‘Cities for
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 22
Climate Protection’ campaign and provides an excellent avenue for educating the community
through leading by example.
The building provides a tangible example of sustainable technologies that can be transferred
into the homes of residents - which was one of the project’s key aims. Educational materials
available at the Centre and through other council facilities emphasise these opportunities and
encourage residents to pursue them. These include a touch screen explaining how the
sustainable design features work and a series of brochures outlining steps the community can
take towards sustainability in energy, water, materials, air quality and waste.
Council also conducts tours through the building and since opening earlier this year, over
10,000 people have visited the Centre including school groups, resident groups, individual
residents, university students, architects and councillors from other municipalities.
The project recently won the prestigious national Banksia Award for environmental excellence
in leadership in sustainable buildings.
Contact Details
Emma Hopkins , 03 9230 4405, ehopkins@darebin.vic.gov.au
4.8 Frankston City Council – Water Initiatives
Frankston City Council is located in the outer southern suburbs of Melbourne with an estimated
population of over 118,000. Council is committed to managing freshwater resources in a
sustainable manner and has developed or endorsed a variety of programs to help community
members become more efficient and responsible water users. These include:
Savewater Awards – For the second successive year, Frankston City Council was a finalist in
the Savewater Awards, recognising water saving initiatives at the community nursery and the
Langwarrin Community Centre, both of which now utilise rainwater tanks in the operation of the
facilities to generate significant water savings. Council was also recognised for the use of
recycled water at four recreational facilities across the city.
Water Campaign™ - In 2002, Frankston City Council made a formal commitment to become a
participant in the ICLEI Water Campaign™. The Water Campaign provides a strategic
framework to review the current management of freshwater resources, and how local
government can contribute to the improved management of these resources within their own
operations, across the municipality and the catchment. In February of 2004 council achieved
Milestone One of this program.
Smart Water Fund - Frankston City Council was recently successful in receiving a $50,000
grant from the Smart Water Fund for implementation of a range of sustainable water resource
practices in its two aquatic centres. Savings are estimated at 16 megalitres (million litres) of
drinking quality water with a cost saving of $18,200 per annum. The project provides an
opportunity for council to educate the community leading by example.
Water Reuse Study – A feasibility study recently undertaken jointly with Melbourne Water and
the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, has been completed to identify the potential for use of
treated effluent in parks and gardens, industrial areas and new residential subdivisions.
Council is now looking to deliver on the highest priority scheme identified through this process.
Water Audits – Water audits and ongoing implementation of water saving recommendations
are currently being undertaken for all major council facilities.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 23
Waterwatch - The Waterwatch program is a national community based network that aims to
involve community groups, schools and individuals in keeping waterways healthy, and to
collect data to better manage the resource. Data is now being collected from creeks and
wetlands within Frankston City Council. Once the baseline data has been collected, council will
record this information and use it for prioritising actions, which may be required to address
water quality issues within the catchment area. Findings will also assist council with the
development of environmental performance indicators for Frankston City Council.
GreenPlumbers™ - Developed by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association
of Australia, the program is delivered in partnership with local government. A series of
workshops have been designed to enhance plumbers' skills and knowledge about the
environmental considerations of their work. The first series of workshops was held in Frankston
City Council in 2001. These training opportunities place plumbers in a better position to advise
and inform consumers on topics such as: the benefits of energy efficiency; water conservation;
solar hot water; and the most appropriate and cost effective appliances to suit individual needs.
The program has the potential to deliver real benefits to the environment with long-term
community reductions in water usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
GreenGardeners – This program is an inititiave of Melbourne Water delivered in partnership
with council and Sustainable Gardening Australia. Frankston City Council hosted the first series
of workshops in July 2003. The GreenGardeners program provides training and advice to local
nursery and landscape industry members on the issues of sustainable gardening practices.
Over three evening workshops participants undergo up to six hours of training on issues that
include: sustainable design principles; soil health and natural soil improvers; responsible plant
selection; chemicals and alternatives; water conservation and stormwater runoff reduction. The
program continues to expand industry training and recognises the important role that
landscapers and nursery staff can play in providing the community with good advice on
sustainable gardening practices.
In additon to the targeted programs already highlighted, council also educates the community
through seminars, an environmental newsletter, fact sheets, and tips and links to other
organisations.
Contact Details
Mark Batty, Environmental Coordinator, 03 9784 1888
4.9 Macedon Ranges Shire Council – Community Run Bus Service
Located within an hour's drive north west of Melbourne, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council is
known for its semi-rural lifestyle, natural features such as Hanging Rock, and local heritage
townships. It is home to a population of over 38,000 people.
A growing population over the last 25 years led to an increased need for public transport in the
early 1980s. In response to this need, council and local residents worked together to form car
and bus pooling cooperatives that travelled to Melbourne daily. Council took out a loan to
purchase buses, which has now been fully repaid by weekly payments from the cooperatives
responsible for operations. Boosting the regions public transport aims to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
While this is an excellent example of council working with the community to seek positive social
and environmental outcomes, changes in transport services over the last few years have given
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 24
rise to conflict between new public bus services and the original community cooperative
services.
Contact Details
Muir Calderwood, Lansfield and Romsey Commuter Bus, 03 5425 5505 or
Bronwyn Machin , Macedon Ranges Getting Around Project Officer, 0417 130 885
bronwenm@macedon-ranges.vic.gov.au
4.10 Manningham City Council – Sustainable Schools Program
The Manningham City Council is located 12 kilometres east of Melbourne's Central Business
District. The boundaries of the city are the Yarra River to the north and Koonung Creek to the
south. The Mullum Mullum Creek divides the municipality, with rural-residential environments to
the east and essentially residential areas to the west. Eleven suburbs are home to a
community of more than 110,000 people.
Manningham City Council has allocated $10,000 per annum for the next three years to support
five schools participating in the Sustainable Schools Program run by the Gould League. Each
school will undertake an introductory unit and then work through a 10-step process of setting
and achieving goals in the areas of biodiversity, waste, energy and water use. The project will
assist Manningham City Council to engage with the community on sustainability issues and is
half way through its first year.
Contact Details
Subash Nanoo, Waste Officer, 03 9846 0578 or Pat Armstrong, Gould League, 03 9556 9028
4.11 Maroondah City Council – Waste Education
The Maroondah City Council is a well established municipality in the outer east of Melbourne.
Blending both city and country it has a balance of established neighbourhoods, new suburban
developments and green spaces. The current population is over 100,000.
As part of the Maroondah's Waste Management Program, council offers a range of special
education programs. These include guided tours of the recycling facility, as well as educational
sessions and materials on waste minimisation, composting, recycling and litter for schools and
community groups.
Maroondah City Council recently became a part of the WasteWise program aimed at
minimising, reusing and recycling materials. Council also conduct annual audits of household
waste to examine the composition of domestic waste and identify the contamination rate and
recovery rate for recyclable materials. The audits help to inform future community waste
education programs.
Contact Details
Clare Wolinski, Waste Management Officer, 03 9703 5226
4.12 Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
The municipality of Moreland is located in the inner north of Melbourne, spanning 12 highly
developed suburbs. As home to more than 137,000 residents, Moreland has one of the
highest population densities of any metropolitan local government area.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 25
Council established the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) after the forced sale of
council owned electricity retailers and it is the first independent, locally based organisation
devoted entirely to reducing community greenhouse emissions. A variety of techniques are
used to help both the Moreland community as well as other localities to become more energy
smart. These include education, practical assistance, research and innovation, financial
support, partnerships and advocacy.
Current community based projects include the:
‘Kinda Cooling Project’ working with the Brunswick Kindergarten to assist the
development of an energy efficient cooling plan for the main building, whilst also
raising awareness of energy and greenhouse issues with the kindergarten
community.
‘Home Energy Star Program,’ which works one-on-one with 85 Moreland households.
Participating households receive a home energy audit to identify areas of potential
energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction. They are then supported over the
following year in addressing the recommendations and achieving potential energy
savings.
‘Phoenix Fridge Program’ collects old and under-utilised fridges from community
members and turns them into energy-efficient appliances for redistribution to low-
income households. The program is seen as an opportunity to increase social equity
while responding to some critical environmental issues.
‘Small Business Energy Action.’ In conjunction with the Northern Alliance for
Greenhouse Action (Cities of Moreland, Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Whittlesea and
Nillumbik Shire), MEFL is currently managing the Business Energy Action retrofit
program for small businesses. Businesses within the partner municipalities who
undertake an energy assessment are eligible for matching funding for energy
efficiency projects identified.
‘Home Energy Action.’ Another project with the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse
Action involved training around 180 residents from the partner municipalities to
undertake household energy audits. The residents were then encouraged to conduct
audits on the houses of their neighbours and friends.
Contact Details
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, 03 9381 1722, talktous@mefl.com.au
4.13 City of Melbourne – Travel Smart
The City of Melbourne is Victoria’s business, administration, cultural and recreational hub.
Twelve suburbs are home to over 52,000 residents with predictions of strong population growth
as more people choose to live close to the city centre.
The City of Melbourne has worked for several years to encourage greenhouse friendly travel
amongst workers in the CBD. From 1999 to 2002, council worked in partnership with
Environment Victoria’s Smogbusters Program on the Travelling Green project to address staff
travel patterns at Australia Post and Fosters Brewing Group work places. The focus of the
project was to design actions that reduce travel by staff in private vehicles to and from work
and to encourage a greater use of public transport and less greenhouse intensive transport
modes such as cycling and walking.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 26
In 2002, the project was funded by the State Government’s Travel Smart program. Through the
current Travel Smart program, council is working with the Department of Infrastructure and
several businesses including the National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank and Telstra.
Thousands of staff members are involved, which means strong reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. The project will be expanded next year to include businesses on St Kilda Rd.
Contact Details
Robyn Evans, 03 9658 8735, robeva@melbourne.vic.gov.au
4.14 City of Melbourne - Trial ‘Greensaver’ Efficiency Program
The City of Melbourne is Victoria’s business, administration, cultural and recreational hub.
Twelve suburbs are home to over 52,000 residents with predictions of strong population growth
as more people choose to live close to the city centre.
The City of Melbourne is trialing a new "Greensaver" program, designed to reduce energy and
water consumption in residential areas. Working with City West Water and Green Plumbers,
400 households in North Melbourne and Kensington have the chance to pay $40 (once a
rebate has been subtracted) to have a registered Green Plumber come to their homes to
conduct a water and energy audit. Inefficient energy and water use can cost the average
household up to $600 every year. Residents will be given advice from the plumber on reducing
water and energy consumption and overall long-term running costs.
Contact Details
City of Melbourne, 03 9658 9658
4.15 Mildura Rural City Council - Water Management
Mildura is a vibrant regional centre on the banks of the Murray River in north western Victoria
with a growing population of more than 49,000 residents.
A series of Mildura Rural City Council water management initiatives, including community
prizes, has seen water usage drop significantly by 221 Olympic sized swimming pools for the
2003-04 financial year, compared with the same period in 2002-03. Up to $6,500 prize money
across various categories will reward water saving innovation and water-use efficiency in the
community, encouraging residents to promote and develop water saving measures.
Council is also working alongside community to construct water efficient gardens, parks,
median strips and roundabout features with local, drought tolerant plant species suited to the
arid conditions.
Contact Details
Mildura Service Centre, 03 5018 8100, www.mildura.vic.gov.au
4.16 Moreland - Sustainability Streets
Sustainability Streets is a simple but powerful idea that increases sustainable practices through
community capacity building. Developed by environmental educator Vox Bandicoot and
Environs Australia – the Local Government Environment Network, the project has been taken
up by a number of Victorian municipal councils.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 27
The central idea is that communities come together, learn about ecological sustainability and
then work to assist or teach other individuals or communities. Councils work collaboratively
with the community, Vox Bandicoot and Environs Australia, playing an integral role in building
community support and providing resources, information, staff and facilities. There are
currently 10 Victorian councils engaged in the project and their local communities have
embraced the process.
The first Sustainability Street program in Australia was formed around five streets in Moreland,
close to the heart of Coburg and has met with strong community support and enthusiasm. The
first year involved intensive community training with monthly meetings held on issues of water,
waste, energy and biodiversity. Local skills and knowledge were utilised, with workshops held
at residents’ houses. Other methods of knowledge sharing and community building have
included picnics and a street parade.
After the first year of training, with strong involvement from council and the other partners, the
program was designed to move towards greater community ownership. A core of committed
locals now meet regularly to plan projects and share information and have recently become
incorporated. They have established a community fund and are in the process of developing a
community garden in the area. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive
with reports of greater engagement with and understanding of sustainability issues and an
enhanced sense of community.
There are now 10 Victorian councils engaged in the program and many more have expressed
keen interest.
Contact Details
Environs Australia, Ground Floor, 60 Leicester St, Carlton Victoria 3053
Ph: (03) 9347 5344, info@environs.org.au or
Vox Bandicoot, 5 Railway Place, Fairfield Victoria 3078
Ph: 9489 0855, voxbandicoot@vicnet.net.au , www.sustainabilitystreet.org.au
4.17 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - Litter Education
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is located on the fringe of Melbourne’s outer southern
suburbs. In 2001, the total population of the municipality was estimated at over 132,700
people.
Council’s draft Stormwater Management Plan identified that a multi-faceted approach to
addressing the threats to water quality was necessary. In order to achieve this a Litter
Reduction and Education program was undertaken which included community education,
installation of gross pollutant traps, implementation of council's draft Environmental
Management System, together with its advocacy role to State and other agencies. With
installation of all gross pollutant traps there was extensive community publicity.
Measuring the yield of litter from the gross pollutant traps will be used to gauge the success of
behavioural programs. Products forming part of the education campaign included drink bottles,
frisbees and bookmarks with the logo Bin it or Swim In It. The program was funded by EPA
Victoria as part of the Victorian Stormwater Action Program 2001-02.
Contact Details
Paul Healy, 03 5986 0274
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 28
4.18 Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Biosphere Project
The Biosphere is a UNESCO program that has been established in around 400 regions
worldwide and is rapidly gaining profile in Australia. Biospheres serve as 'living
laboratories' for testing and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and
biodiversity. Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions, which are
complementary and mutually reinforcing:
A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems,
species and genetic variation;
A development function - to foster economic and human development, which is socio-
culturally and ecologically sustainable; and
A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information
exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.
The Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Biosphere Project is a community-based initiative
that has gained endorsement from all levels of government. There are five councils located
within the Biosphere who have all signed on to a Board of Directors which is also made up of
other levels of government and community members.
The project, in operation since December 2003, is relatively new but has already lead to a
close connection between local government and community, providing a forum for networking
and information sharing.
The Biosphere Reserve offers an important opportunity for local communities and their
governing bodies to work together to reconcile the conservation of natural resources with their
sustainable use.
Contact Details
Amy McDonald, 03 5982 9650, mcdoa@mornpen.vic.gov.au
4.19 Shire of Nillumbik - Green Waste Collection
The Shire of Nillumbik is located less than 25 kilometres north east of Melbourne and has the
Yarra River as its southern boundary and Kinglake National Park to the north.
Over 58,000 residents live in close knit communities, which range from typical urban settings to
remote bush properties.
The Shire of Nillumbik has committed to a policy targeting zero landfill by implementing the
‘GRO (green, recycled, other) waste management system in August 2003. A three-bin system
was introduced to increase the amount of material being recycled and therefore divert waste
from landfill. Under the new system, Green waste including food scraps and garden materials,
is collected by council contractors and converted into bulk or bagged compost before being
sold back to the community through local nurseries, where it is used to enhance gardens and
aid in water conservation. The Recycle bin has moved to a full comingled service, meaning a
greater range of items including paper and cardboard are accepted. As a result, the contents
of the Other bin have decreased, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The system encourages community members to engage with concepts of resource
consumption and waste minimisation and to think about ways they can work towards more
environmentally sustainable behaviours.
Contact Details
Tamara Allen, Resource Conservation Planner, 03 9433 3219
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 29
4.20 Nillumbik Shire Council - Land Management Incentive Programs
The Shire of Nillumbik is located less than 25 kilometres northeast of Melbourne and has the
Yarra River as its southern boundary and Kinglake National Park to the north. Over 58,000
residents live in close knit communities, which range from typical urban settings to remote bush
properties.
To assist Shire of Nillumbik residents address land management issues and protect and
enhance biodiversity, council offers a range of programs to provide assistance and financial
incentives. These programs include:
Sustainable Agricultural Rebate
The Sustainable Agricultural Rebate program provides landowners with a rate rebate to
undertake or maintain specified works on their property to improve land and water
resources, and address problems of land degradation.
Landcare Support Grants
The Landcare Support Grants program provides locally based incorporated Landcare
groups with grants of up to $2500 to develop and implement projects addressing land
degradation issues and/or those protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
Biodiversity Enhancement Program
The Biodiversity Enhancement Program encourages landowners to protect and enhance
Nillumbik’s biodiversity, in particular native vegetation and habitat for fauna, through
permanent protection and biodiversity enhancement works. The program has two
components: rate rebates for landowners who have placed a Trust for Nature
conservation covenant on their property; or the grants program which provides funding
for landowners in environmentally significant areas to undertake biodiversity
enhancement works.
The Shire of Nillumbik also runs regular courses and workshops to assist residents in planning
and enhancing their property's natural values. A Property Management Planning Course is
conducted biannually and regular workshops are held on bush land management, rabbit control
and plant identification. This six-session course is held over five weeks to assist landowners in
the development of a Property Management Plan. The course aims to assist landowners to
identify management issues, develop long-term objectives and determine planned
improvements. An aerial photograph of a landowner's property is provided as part of the course
fee.
A series of workshops focusing on Living in Nillumbik and Sustainable Living are held
throughout the year at Edendale Farm Community Environment Centre. The workshops
include guest speakers, walks, talks, hands-on activities and lots more. Topics range from
managing bushland and identifying plants, to minimising energy in the home.
Contact Details
Narelle Liepa, 03 9433 3214
4.21 City of Port Phillip - Inkerman Oasis
The City of Port Phillip is located on the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay, south of the
Melbourne Central Business District. It is home to over 78,000 residents who are dispersed
between seven neighbourhoods.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 30
The internationally acclaimed Inkerman Oasis is a sustainable community housing
development resulting from collaboration between the City of Port Phillip and Inkerman
Developments Pty Ltd. Located in St Kilda, the 236 apartments incorporate a range of passive
and active sustainable design principles and demonstrate how a relatively high density of
housing can be achieved whilst retaining open space and avoiding tower buildings.
The development marks the first time in Australia that greywater and stormwater in a high-
density development will be recycled for irrigation and toilet flushing. Other sustainable design
features include optimum solar access for living areas; energy/resource efficient appliances
and fixtures; solar hot water for 16 of the community housing units; solar communal lighting;
roof gardens and native plant landscaping; bicycle shed; non-mechanical ventilation of a
majority of the sub-basement car park and cross flow; and ventilation shafts in buildings to
increase natural ventilation and minimise mechanical ventilation.
The Inkerman Oasis development has been awarded the UN Association of Australia World
Environment Day Award 2000; the Stockholm Partnership for Sustainable Cities Award 2002;
and the Greenhouse Building Nomination 2002.
Contact Details
City of Port Phillip, 03 9209 6777, www.portphillip.vic.gov.au
4.22 City of Port Phillip - Sustainable Living At Home
The City of Port Phillip is located on the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay, south of the
Melbourne Central Business District. It is home to over 78,000 residents who are dispersed
between seven neighbourhoods.
Sustainable Living at Home (SLAH) is a six-month community environmental education
program launched by City of Port Phillip in 2001. The program was designed to empower local
residents to act cooperatively with their neighbours to reduce their impact on the environment.
The Port Phillip community has enthusiastically supported the program, with participation rates
increasing steadily each year. The program delivers ongoing environmental benefits through
significantly reduced levels of resource consumption, waste and pollution for the participating
households. At the same time, it promotes the creation of strong and positive neighbourhood
relationships, leading to a more supportive, responsible and healthy local community.
SLAH is offered to residents as a free program and has proven to be an excellent model to
provide an avenue for community social interaction and community building, provide a link
between environmental community groups and residents, encourage resource use behaviour
change, and to collect resource consumption and change data.
An integral aspect of the SLAH program is the setting of sustainability objectives against which
progress and achievements can be measured for the community and each household.
Sustainability objectives are developed for both the SLAH program and individual participants.
In developing individual household action plans participants are guided in setting achievable,
yet challenging, sustainability objectives linked to the five main environmental SLAH themes -
waste, water, purchasing, travel and energy. The goals should include short, medium and long-
term targets.
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 31
The SLAH sustainability objectives are: 15 per cent reduction in water usage; 30 per cent
reduction in waste; 10 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and 60 per cent
participation in SLAH events.
The City of Port Phillip collects both qualitative and quantitative data from residents involved in
the program and results have been encouraging.
The opportunity for social interaction was unanimously stated as one of the good aspects of
SLAHminars. This confirms the value of the program in developing community links as well as
delivering environmental benefits.
The budget to deliver the program can be increased or decreased depending on the materials
and activities offered to participants as incentives. The City of Port Phillip has created
community and commercial partnerships to successfully implement the program.
Contact Details
Susan Gregory, 03 9209 6382, www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/slah.html
4.23 Greater Shepparton City Council – Improved Bicycle Network and ‘Cycle
Instead’ Program
Located in the Goulburn Valley, Greater Shepparton City Council has a population of over
59,000 residents and is the fourth largest provincial centre in Victoria.
In November 2000, council developed a Bicycle Strategy aimed at building upon existing
bicycle infrastructure, identifying priority bicycle routes and developing an implementation plan.
The Strategy was developed in consultation with the community and objectives recognise the
importance of bicycle infrastructure for increased community participation in cycling. This has
been implemented over subsequent years with funding from council and VicRoads. Improved
bicycle infrastructure is in line with council’s commitment to the Cities for Climate Protection
program and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1999 levels by 2010.
To engage the community, Greater Shepparton City Council and Bicycle Victoria entered into a
partnership to promote cycling. During a two-month trial period, with funding from the State
Government, the ‘Cycle Instead’ project aimed (and exceeded) to replace 50,000 vehicle trips
by bicycle trips. Using a mix of mass media, community events and rewards, council was able
to engage community members. Surveys taken before and after the program showed that
during the trial there was a decrease of 173,687 car trips; a greenhouse gas abatement of 256
tonnes, an increase of 95,071 cycling trips and a significant number of residents said that the
campaign had encouraged them to ride more or consider alternatives to driving.
Greater Shepparton City Council’s commitment to increased bicycle use in the community is an
excellent example of a rural council responding to environmental and health issues normally
considered urban problems. Shepparton was voted Best Regional Council by Bicycle Victoria
in 2002.
Contact Details
Kevin Jones, Manager Design Services, 03 5832 9700 or Roger Smith, Manager Infrastructure
Planning and Major Projects, 03 5832 9820, www.shepparton.vic.gov.au
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 32
4.24 Greater Shepparton City Council - Goulburn Broken Urban Stormwater
Awareness and Training
The Goulburn Broken Urban Stormwater Awareness and Training Project is a council initiative,
which involves the employment of a project officer to coordinate all stormwater education and
training activities in the Goulburn Broken catchment. The project has four main components
aimed at reducing the impact of stormwater pollution entering the Goulburn and Broken Rivers
and tributaries: a community education program; industry workshops and audits; assistance for
councils; and education and training targeting the construction industry.
Council introduced a local law in 2003 to control sediment loads to waterways and has been
running a targeted education program to help the construction industry understand its legal
requirements under the law. Merchandise, site visits, and media advertising have all been
utilised. The campaign has been designed to also educate the wider public and has been
extended to reach school children. EPA Victoria has funded it as part of the Victorian
Stormwater Action Program 2003-04 in addition to funding from councils within the catchment.
Greater Shepparton City Council has assisted the Mitchell and Moira Shires who have limited
funds by allowing them to add their logos to advertising for a nominal fee.
Contact Details
Martin Harrop, 03 5832-983
4.25 Cities of Moonee Valley and Port Phillip - Smogbusters – Way to School
An initiative of Environment Victoria (EV), Smogbusters - Way to School has worked with the
Cities of Moonee Valley and Port Phillip to encourage students, parents, and the broader
school community to consider the implications of motor vehicle travel particularly to and from
school.
Three primary schools from each municipality were chosen to receive a Way to School
information kit as well as presentations from council staff and EV representatives. Baseline
studies were conducted of usual modes of travel and distance covered. After six months the
Smogbusters Day of Change was held where students were encouraged to minimise car use
and seek alternative forms of transport such as walking, bicycle riding or public transport.
Studies comparing the amount of car travel on the Day of Change showed between 20 and 30
per cent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Councils were integral to the success of the program providing funding, staffing and facilitation
of the program. As a result of the past successes, three additional councils have signed on
with more expressing interest.
Contact Details
Rachel Carlisle, Sustainable Transport Coordinator, Environment Victoria
03 9341 8107, rachel.carlisle@envict.org.au, http://www.waytoschoolkit.infoxchange.net.au/
4.26 City of Whittlesea – Walking School Bus
The City of Whittlesea is a rapidly growing municipality located in Melbourne's outer northern
suburbs. The current population of 124,000 is predicted to increase steadily. With over half the
residents from non-English speaking backgrounds, the area is culturally diverse.
The community based Walking School Bus program encourages students to walk rather than
drive to school, promoting healthy, environmentally sustainable and safe transport options. One
to two adult volunteers walk with a group of primary school children to and from school. The
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 33
participating students are picked up and dropped off at their house and walk along a specified
route.
The Program began in 2002 with four primary schools. Additional funding from VicHealth (the
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation) in 2003 enabled council to work with a new group of
schools. Council is currently negotiating further funding and there are now five schools
participating. The Program is managed by council’s Health Promotion department and in
addition to meeting the objectives of the city’s Health Promotion Plan it also meets those of
council’s Transport Strategy and the Cities for Climate Protection Program.
The program provides an excellent example of inter-sectoral and community cooperation
bringing positive outcomes in a variety of areas including greenhouse abatement, alternatives
to car-based transport, stronger communities and health benefits.
Contact Details
Louise Juracich, 03 9217 2170, www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au
4.27 City of Yarra - High-rise Recycling Program
The City of Yarra is located immediately north east of Melbourne’s Central Business District.
The urban geography and land use are incredibly diverse, with tracts of natural bush land,
three major watercourses - the Yarra River and the Darebin and Merri Creeks, and a large
mixture of inner urban residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Social housing and a
rapidly gentrifying housing stock are home to over 69,000 residents.
The City of Yarra, in conjunction with the Office of Housing and the North Richmond Tenants
Association, has developed an award winning recycling program for a high-rise estate in
Richmond. Richmond Public Housing Estate is home to approximately 1,660 families. A high
turnover of tenants and large proportion of non-English speakers means that promoting and
explaining the system is a complex task. However, the program has continued to expand with
around 100 bins of recyclable plastics and glass collected each month.
In addition to recycling, other activities have been instigated that make a positive contribution to
the environment. These include running ‘waste-wise at home’ workshops for tenants (covering
waste, energy and water minimisation practices) and working with the Cultivating Community
Group to support composting and worm farming for the estate’s gardeners.
The latest venture will see a car wash service established on the estate. The water used for the
project will be recycled from bathrooms and kitchens of the apartment blocks. Any residual
water from the car wash will be filtered again and used to water the gardens. Income gained
will then be channelled back into other Tenant Association projects.
Contact Details
Carmela Parris, 03 9205 5093, ParrisC@yarracity.vic.gov.au
4.28 Shire of Yarra Ranges - Birdsland Environmental Education Centre
The Shire of Yarra Ranges is located in Melbourne's outer east, between 30 and 110
kilometres east of the Melbourne GPO. Nine wards are home to over 137,100 people who live
in one of a number of suburbs or rural localities.
The Birdsland Environmental Education Centre is a council initiative aimed at ‘working with the
community to provide environmental education that actively encourages sustainable living’. A
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 34
variety of programs are run with an emphasis on fun and practical hands-on learning.
Programs are tailored to suit the individual needs of schools or community groups and are a
springboard for groups wanting to learn more about biodiversity, WaterWatch, Sustainable
Schools Program and Waste Wise Schools.
The centre is an eco-friendly building incorporating worm farms, solar panels, wind generator,
composting toilets, frog bogs, native grass gardens and more. Programs are based around five
broad topics: biodiversity, waste minimisation, sustainable energy, earth education and water.
Since the opening in 2000, thousands of students and community members have participated
in the programs and active community participation has been encouraged through a community
committee and an education sub-committee. Council recently won a WasteWise award in
recognition of the community education achieved through Birdsland and other council
initiatives.
Contact Details
Shire of Yarra Ranges 1300 368 333, Marianne Hack 03 9294 6215, Birdsland Centre 03 9752
5893, www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 35
5. OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR LOCAL GOVENRMENT
The following chapter suggests a number of opportunities and barriers operating at the local level
when considering the work of local government with sustainable communities. It also examines
suggestions for improving community based environment approaches and avenues for increasing
the effectiveness and participation of individuals and households.
5.1 Opportunities
Local government is well placed to work with communities and households on
sustainability.
Councils already work closely with their community and are already leading by example
in many areas such as water, energy and waste management.
Council support messages at a local level and in a local context.
Councils have pre-existing community linkages through a range of environment, health,
welfare and community development programs.
Single-issue topics (water energy etc) often integrate with other council sustainability
messages and education programs.
Integrates with local planning and building responsibilities.
Councils are often local employers, and can impact on individuals and households
through their own workforce.
5.2 Barriers
Some of the issues facing local government in its role with community sustainability
include:
Limited funds and resources available to run effective wide scale education/awareness
campaigns, and budgets compete with other demands (welfare, infrastructure).
Community is socially, economically and culturally diverse - a range of campaigns
targeting different parts of communities are often needed.
Councils are often the first point of contact on a wide range of environment issues but
may not have the technical skill in-house to answer.
Sometimes regulatory frameworks confusing for local implementation (e.g. greywater).
Education requirements for business community are different to those for residents.
5.3 Community Environmental programs – Avenues to success
The experience of local government in running community based environment programs is very
valuable. Below are some of the comments and lessons learnt from the case studies.
Realistic Funding and Timeframes
Community environment projects are often reliant on external funding, which is short term in
many cases. Excellent programs can be established but can fail to make long-term impacts
upon communities because they tend to lack follow through. Communities usually need
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 36
extended reinforcement of behaviour change techniques before they become the norm.
Therefore, projects need longer term planning and funding arrangements.
Managerial support
Most successful programs have required strong managerial support to succeed. This
necessitates either an existing interest from management or strong lobbying from staff, which is
reliant on adequate time and resources.
Council Steward
Many community based projects have one or two committed councillors who champion the
cause within council. In order to succeed, they need adequate support and resources from
within council or a strong enthusiasm that sometimes goes beyond the call of duty. Some
councillors have expressed a need for more time or funding to support community involvement
and commitment.
Community Champion
Many successful community environment projects have had a community champion who rallies
the community and works closely with the council.
Whole-of-Council Support
Whole-of-council support is often very important for community environment programs to
succeed. Many local government environment programs are reliant on a number of factors to
succeed and cut across a range of departments. Some successful programs have worked
between several departments rather than staying within the environment department. This is
especially important when attempting to engage communities.
Community Ownership
Developing and facilitating community ownership of a local program is often vital, as it embeds
the activity in the community. However, occasionally, when a community initiative becomes
wholly owned by the community, it can work at odds with council agendas. Good community
development approaches and partnership between council and community usually work best.
5.4 Improving the links to Local Government
Recognition of the role of local government
State agencies need to engage fully with local government when delivering environment
initiatives at the community or household level. Often local government is not included in early
program design or implementation. As a result State programs often duplicate, conflict or do
not align with local programs and regulation. A more structured and consultative approach to
working with local government and local communities would achieve more effective community
engagement in local environment initiatives.
Improve local government resources and capacity
Ongoing funding, or opportunities for local government to raise its own funds, are important for
the long-term success of community environment programs managed through local
government. Through the Local Sustainability Accord process in 2004 the MAV will be
suggesting that legislative reform be considered that might give local government greater
capacity to raise revenue for environmental programs. For example, NSW councils can raise
an environment levy to fund local projects, after setting community priorities through a thorough
community engagement process.
Other opportunities exist to explore enhanced local government powers under State legislation
such as the Environment Protection Act 1989 where in some areas councils can already issue
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 37
and retain fines, for example litter fines. Such approaches allow local governments to fund and
manage important community level programs.
5.5 Effective Community Change
Develop integrative programs that combine action on energy, water, waste etc
Traditionally there has been a tendency for State and Commonwealth agencies to approach
the community and businesses on an individual issues basis. For example, targeting water
conservation or energy conservation as separate issues. While these approaches often have
merit and achieve success, household or business based programs that are integrative, that is,
consider a number of issues concurrently are increasingly becoming popular.
Good examples of integrative programs are the City of Port Phillip Sustainable Living at Home
program and the Environs Australia Sustainability Streets program. Such programs are
modelled on strong integrative, community development and behaviour changes principles.
They allow individuals, households and business to approach the range of sustainability
questions. They can also be more efficient for councils to manage, as they integrate across a
number of issues and allow councils to achieve multiple goals such as improved recycling and
greenhouse reduction.
Develop improved behaviour change programs, not just information programs
A strong trend in community environment programs is to develop programs based around
community based social marketing (CBSM). This approach emphasises programs that target
long lasting behaviour change rather than just providing information. The MAV EcoBuy
Program has used CBSM approaches to excellent effect in developing green purchasing
approaches in local government. Below is an excerpt from material by Doug McKenzie-Mohr,
a Canadian expert in CBSM who has visited Melbourne and worked with local government a
number of times.
“When members of a community use resources wisely, for example by recycling or taking
mass transit, a community moves toward sustainability. To promote sustainability, then, it is
essential to have a firm grasp of how to effectively encourage individuals and businesses to
adopt behaviors that are resource efficient. Most initiatives to foster sustainable behavior
rely upon large-scale information campaigns that utilize education and/or advertising to
encourage behavior change. While education and advertising can be effective in creating
public awareness and in changing attitudes, numerous studies show that behavior change
rarely occurs as a result of simply providing information (see Chapter 1 of the online guide at
www.cbsm.com). Community-based social marketing is an attractive alternative to
information based campaigns. Community-based social marketing is based upon research
in the social sciences that demonstrates that behavior change is most effectively achieved
through initiatives delivered at the community level which focus on removing barriers to an
activity while simultaneously enhancing the activities benefits.” 6
Develop strong evaluation and monitoring approaches to measure effectiveness
Another strong emphasis in many community and local government environment programs is
to develop strong evaluation and monitoring approaches to measure the effectiveness of the
programs. At a community level, such evaluation and monitoring is often fairly complex, and
much work still needs to be undertaken to improve and assist local government with such
approaches. Often councils struggle to gain access to data sets held by State agencies, and to
undertake appropriate methodologies for data analysis, at the correct scale. An emphasis on
improved access and robust methodologies for community based programs is essential to
ensure cost effective outcomes against environmental targets and goals.
6
Doug McKenzie-Mohr, Quick Reference Guide, Community Based Social Marketing. See www.cbsm.com
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 38
6. REFERENCES
Commonwealth of Australia (2002), Australian Bureau of Statistics, Report No. 4611.0
Environmental Expenditure, Local Government, Australia, 2000-2001
Doug McKenzie-Mohr, Quick Reference Guide, Community Based Social Marketing. See
www.cbsm.com
MAV Website at http://mav.asn.au/environment/environment.htm
Municipal Public Health Planning Framework. For further information see the Department of
Human Services website: www.dhs.vic.gov/au
Victorian Local Government Environment Management Survey 2002: Programs, Resources and
Management Approaches. Main Report. December 2002, MAV. Response rate 76/78 councils
(97%)
World Summit on Sustainable Development, Local Government Declaration, http://www.iula.org
MAV Submission – Sustainable Communities Inquiry Page 39
