Delivery Program 2009–2012 - Rockdale City Council - NSW ...

Environmental ManagementCouncil is committed to protecting and enhancing the quality of our natural environment. The City has a number ofnatural features, including the Rockdale wetlands corridor, the foreshores of Botany Bay, Bardwell Valley, Wolli Valley,the Cooks River and the Georges River.Environmental management is recognised as an integral component of Council’s core business, as many solutionsto environmental problems are the responsibility of Local Government. Council is responsible for a wide rangeof operational and regulatory matters that affect our environment, including planning and development control,operation and maintenance of infrastructure such as parks, roads, community facilities and development andimplementation of environmental policies and programs.In June 2003 Council adopted an Environment Policy, recognising the organisation-wide responsibility of staff toprotect the natural environment. Further to this, Council developed the Environment Plan. The Plan specifies actionsthat will be taken to address environmental issues in the City. Actions from the Plan have been incorporated into thisDelivery Program.Support for Community based ProgramsVarious community groups receive support to facilitate local environmental improvement programs. In addition,support is also provided for the work of other organisations such as the National Trust of Australia.External Environmental BodiesCouncil is involved in a number of organisations concerning the environment, including:Georges River Combined Councils CommitteeThis Committee provides a forum for coordinated action on environmental issues affecting the Georges River and itscatchment. The Committee, in partnership with NSW Maritime, employ the Georges Riverkeeper to monitor andprotect the River.Sydney Coastal Councils GroupThis Group coordinates the actions of 16 member councils in the Sydney coastal area, to ensure sustainablemanagement of the urban coastal environment.Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) Environmental Managers GroupThe SSROC Environmental Managers Group consists of officers from each of the SSROC councils. The Group workstogether on regionally significant environmental issues such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lobbyinggovernment and other organisations.Delivery Program 2009-2012 | 39