City Plan 2009 - 2013 - City of Greater Geelong

Strategic Directions and Annual Action Plan
Sustainable Built and Natural Environment
Objective:
The City of Greater Geelong
leads the community in
sustainable planning and
environmental action.
The impact of climate change is far
reaching. It is no longer just a phenomenon
that is occurring in other parts of the
world but in fact happening in our own
backyard. As a growing region we recognise
the sustainability of our built and natural
environment is fundamental to being the
best place to live.
We will ensure that all decisions we make, big or
small, take the sustainability of our environment
into account. We will do this by minimising our
impacts, setting standards and being efficient in
our use of resources. In this way we will reduce
our own environmental footprint.
Over the next four years we will work with the
community in aiming to deliver the following
priority outcomes:
> Increase the use of public and active
transport across the municipality.
> Reduce our organisation’s
environmental footprint.
> Develop and implement sustainability
standards for all built form.
> Prepare and implement a strategy for
adapting to climate change.
> Enhance our natural areas and increase the
level of protection for precious habitats and
areas of biodiversity.
36 City Plan 2009-2013 | City of Greater Geelong
Key strategies and
master plans that will
assist in delivering this
strategic direction:
> Public Transport Strategy
> Environment Management Strategy
> Greenhouse Reduction Strategy and Local
Action Plan
> Municipal Strategic Statement
> Housing Diversity Strategy
> Township Structure Plans
> Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan
> Sustainable Water Futures Policy
> Rural Land Use Strategy
> Barwon Region Waste Management Plan
> Storm Water Quality Management Plan
(including Healthy Waterways)
> Greater Geelong Cycling Strategy
> Geelong Wetlands Strategy
> Domestic Waste Water Strategy
> Eastern Park and Geelong Botanic Gardens
Strategic Plan
> Clifton Springs Coastal Management Plan
> Limeburners Bay Management Plan
> Geelong Saleyards Conservation
Management Plan
> Barwon River Land Use and Open Space
Corridor Plan
> Various Drainage and Flood Management
strategies and plans
> Street Tree Policy
The importance of collaboration
The aspirations we hold for our community
cannot be achieved by Council alone. It
will require collaboration from a number of
stakeholders, including all levels of government
through to local community groups.
Achieving these outcomes will be a challenge,
so it is important that over the next four years
we focus on building relationships and working
closely with stakeholders to ensure the best
result for our community.
Key stakeholders we have recognised for this
strategic direction include:
> The community
> Transport Companies
> Suppliers
> Developers
> Federal and State Government Departments
> Industry groups
> Interest groups
> G21 – Geelong Region Alliance
Challenges we face
Every day we are faced with challenges, both
global and regional. These challenges impact
on our decision making in the immediate and
long term. It is important we remain flexible so
we can respond to the changing needs of our
community as well as making the most of the
opportunities that arise.
Some of the challenges facing us in the
pursuit of a sustainable built and natural
environment include:
> There may be a perception that addressing
environmental issues is less important in
light of the global financial crisis which may
result in a push for cheaper developments
and decreasing building and environmental
standards.
> Being prepared to respond to government
funding programs that benefit our
environment.
> Major industries lobbying to get the most
out of existing infrastructure rather than
seeking to become greener.
> Climate change impacts.
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