Steering Committee Members 2006/07
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steering committee members 2006/07 Lisa Di Felice AIUS – Project Convenor – Chair City of Boroondara Karina Bader City of Melbourne Brock Baker Sustainability Victoria Michelle Bennett City of Darebin Dietmar Dinges Environment Protection Authority Victoria Michael Dodd City of Port Phillip Ellen Mitchell City of Banyule Petra Stock City of Yarra Leanne Stray City of Bayside Financial support was provided by the Cities of Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Darebin, Frankston, Hume, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Monash, Moonee Valley, Stonnington, Whittlesea and Yarra and the Shires of Financial support also provided by: Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges. This Bulletin was researched and written by Adam Briscomb in collaboration with members of the steering committee All Bulletins are available at http://www.aius.org.au/indicators. Please contact the AIUS Secretary on (03) 9459 0634 or via email [email protected] for additional copies of this bulletin. ISSN: 1447-2449 ISBN: 0-86419-412-9 Statements in this document are not necessarily the views of the organisations involved. Material in this publication may be reproduced subject to acknowledgement of AIUS. Front cover image: Vicmap Image - Satellite - 2000 Department of Sustainability and Environment, Spatial Information Infrastructure. ©Commonwealth of Australia - ACRES, Geoscience Australia” Printed on 100% recycled paper. Design and production by William Troedel & Company Pty Ltd www.troedel.com.au Tel: 61 3 9562 8888 Environmental Indicators for Metropolitan Melbourne – Bulletin 9 1 contents Foreword 3 3. Open Space 45 Pressure At a Glance – A summary of Pest Plants what’s been happening 4 Pest Animals Condition Pressure - Condition - Park Use Visitor Satisfaction with Parks Response 5 Urban Parks Urban Fringe Parks Acknowledgements 5 Pest Animals - Foxes, Rabbits, Cats Pest Plants Response 1. Air 6 Pest Plants Pest Animals Pressure Volunteers The Atmosphere The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Introduction to Climate Change Community Gardens Pressure on Stratospheric Ozone Banyule’s New Strategy on Weeds Pressure on Air Quality Local Air Emissions 4. Waste 57 Condition Greenhouse Gas Emissions Pressure Response Condition Coal And Gas-Powered Electricity Generators Waste In Victoria Renewable Energy Municipal Waste Collection Emissions Trading (Carbon Trading) Litter Greenhouse Gas Reporting Response Appliance Energy Effi ciency ECO-Buy Energy Effi ciency and Demand Management: Product Stewardship Energy Consumption Trends Cities for Climate Protection 5. What you can do... 68 2. Water 25 Electricity Water Pressure Shopping Pressure on Water Availability Transport Pressure on Receiving Waters Get Informed Pressure on Port Phillip Bay Condition Water Consumption References 70 Condition of Rivers and Creeks Platypus, Frogs and Macro-invertebrates Appendix 72 Condition of the Catchments Condition of Port Phillip Bay – its Water, Beaches and Bays Marine Pests Response 2 Environmental Indicators for Metropolitan Melbourne – Bulletin 9 foreword On behalf of the AIUS and the Bulletin Committee I’m I would like to thank Adam Briscomb, our consultant, pleased to present the ninth annual edition of EIMM. for his diligence in researching and interpreting the information and for his presentation of this in the Bulletin. This year we revisited the themes air emissions, water, beach and bay, greenhouse emissions, open space I would also like to recognise the members of the Steering and waste that were presented two years ago in Bulletin Committee for their contribution of time and commitment 7. For the fi rst time the Committee reviewed the to the project. With quite a few new representatives interrelationship between each chapter. The outcome this year we have had a good mix of insights and ideas was the merging of the chapters: air emissions and along with considerable experience in local government, greenhouse emissions; and water and beach and bay. environmental issues and data expertise. Where possible we have updated data from Bulletin 7 to Many individuals and organisations have assisted us show trends over time. We are also excited to present with the provision of data. Without this very valuable data that has not been published to date. assistance it would not be possible to create a bulletin that is current, relevant and meaningful. Thank you also Data is often presented by local government areas. This to those who contributed case studies. is not for purposes of direct comparison because each local government area and its community is unique, with I would like to acknowledge the City of Melbourne which its own priority issues and means of tackling them. We continues to provide the major fi nancial sponsorship do hope however, that this information will be useful for of the project, and the many other organisations that councils and communities for monitoring environmental provided fi nancial support, as listed in the Bulletin. trends and assessing the impacts of the many positive projects that are contributing to environmental protection I would like to thank the Boroondara City Council for and enhancement. supporting my time on the project as well as the many other councils and organisations that contributed staff The Envirometer gives a subjective assessment of the representation. condition of each of the themes and clearly indicates that despite all the good work, much more care and effort In 2007 the AIUS will review the key direction of the is needed to ensure that, our lifestyle is sustainable and project. This will be an exciting and consultative process our environmental systems are healthy. We hope that and I encourage you all to contribute your ideas. This will the information and knowledge gained from the Bulletin ensure that future bulletins are presented in a format that will help and inspire more people to take action for the best meets the needs of its audience. environment. Lisa Di Felice Project Convener Australian Institute of Urban Studies The Australian Institute of Urban Studies will be reviewing the Environmental Indicators for Metropolitan Melbourne project during 2007. We are seeking as much input to this review as possible and encourage all readers to provide feedback and to get involved. Please indicate your interest in the review by contacting the Secretary, Geoff Baker, on 9459 0634 or email [email protected] or by mail to GPO Box 2620, Melbourne, 3001 by 15th October. Environmental Indicators for Metropolitan Melbourne – Bulletin 9 3 At a Glance – a summary of what’s been happening The ‘Envirometer’ gives a snapshot of the key messages from the data presented. However it is not a quantitative measurement. Readers should not interpret the Envirometer in isolation from the detailed data and commentary provided. The Envirometer ‘score’ has been based on the current condition of each issue presented. Air Emissions • Motor vehicles are the top source of pollution in the Port Phillip Airshed Region, followed by industry and domestic wood heaters. • Petrol passenger vehicles accounted for the majority of emissions in Victoria (80% CO, 60% NOx, The Envirometer 40% VOCs, 30% particulate matter). Air quality is improving, but • The introduction of motor vehicle design rules and fuel standards has resulted in a progressive motor vehicles and wood heaters need to be used more reduction of emissions from motor vehicles. wisely. Greenhouse • The average Victorian emits around 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas per annum. This fi gure can be largely attributed to our heavy reliance on burning coal for electricity generation, our use of motor vehicles, and industry such as aluminium smelting. • In 2003 Victoria emitted 117Mt of greenhouse gas. Electricity generation accounts for more than 50% of Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions and demand is expected to increase 15% in the The Envirometer coming decade. Australia is the highest per • Transport emissions grew 16% between 1990 and 2004. Use of all transport modes including person greenhouse gas emitter in the world. We need to motor vehicles is also expected to rise a further 16% by 2020 from 2005 levels. generate much more of our electricity from clean energy technologies and use energy Water more wisely. • Long-term drought conditions in Melbourne and surrounding areas have reduced water availability to rivers, creeks and for human use, with water storages falling to 38.7% of total capacity at the end of 2006. • Permanent water saving rules were introduced on 1 March 2005. Stage Three water restrictions currently apply throughout Melbourne. • Permanent water saving rules, water restrictions and water conservation education campaigns and the efforts of Melburnians have resulted in decreased water consumption in all local government The Envirometer areas (compared to 2001/02). Long term drought conditions have decreased water • The most recent river health reports from Melbourne Water show that 25% of Melbourne’s rivers availability and contributed and streams are in good condition, 30% are in moderate condition and 45% are in poor to very to the degradation of rivers poor condition. and creeks. More water conservation and water quality • Nutrients, marine pests and litter continue to put pressure on the health of Port Phillip Bay. initiatives are needed. Programs have been put in place to respond to these threats, and have led to signifi cant improvements to discharges into the Bay. For example, Melbourne Water reports that by the end of 2005 the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee had removed 887 tonnes of nitrogen that would have otherwise entered the Bay. Open Space • In 2004/05 an estimated 119 million visits were made to parks and gardens in metropolitan Melbourne. Almost 93% of these visits were made by Melburnians, representing 32 visits per The Envirometer person. Melburnians are generally satisfi ed with our major parks. • Visitors to Melbourne’s major urban parks indicated a satisfaction rating of about 60%. • Pest plants and animals continue to threaten the condition of open space, causing major economic and ecological damage. Waste • On average, each Victorian generates nearly 2 tonnes of waste every year. In Victoria there has been a steady rise in the volume of material in the waste stream.