shaping our environment Wyong Shire Council SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 2011/12 creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT For additional information contact: Wyong Shire Council PO Box 20 WYONG NSW 2259 T (02) 4350 5555 E [email protected] Draft version October 2012 (c) Wyong Shire Council Design & Print Shaping Our Environment Report is completed under Section 428(2)(C) of the Local Government Act 1993, and Section 217(2) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 taking shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Contents of Report Introduction Climate Change About this report 89 Climate Change 130 Sustainablity in Action 90 Records Tumble 130 Sustainability in Wyong 92 Improving Council’s culture of Sustainablity 93 Energy Building the right new assets 94 Current and future Challenges 94 Energy 134 Clean Energy Future 135 Council’s Electricity Consumption 136 Land Council’s Greenhouse Impact 136 Highlands and Valleys 96 Coastal Lowlands and Floodplains 97 Waste & Resources Recovery Coastline and Wallarah Penisula 98 Waste & Resources Recovery 140 Council Waste 141 Catchment Management Cultural Heritage Lakes 102 Cultural Heritage 146 Creeks & Rivers 105 Aboriginal Heritage 146 Wetlands 107 Non Aboriginal Heritage 146 Oceans 108 Noise Biodiversity Noise 149 Biodiversity 112 Volunteers make a real difference to biodiversity 118 Fire trail upgrade improves safety in Community Strategic the vallyes 120 Plan Outcomes Air Quality Outcomes 151 Air Quality 124 Air Pollution and Health: Key Facts 126 creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 87 INTRODUCTION taking 88 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Introduction Information and expertise within Council, About this Report Structure of the state government agencies and private industry have been drawn upon to Under the provisions of the NSW Local Report support this document. Government Act 1993 Wyong Shire The document has been structured Council is required to prepare an annual The state rating table that appears at around ten major themes: Sustainability, State of the Environment Report (SoE) the beginning of each chapter provides Land, Catchment Management, This report covers the period 1 July 2011 a condition rating for the current and Biodiversity, Air Quality, Climate Change, to 30 June 2012 and provides: previous two reporting periods. The Energy, Waste Management, Heritage effectiveness of past responses to key • an evaluation of the current condition and Noise. These themes align with those driving pressures can be determined from of the Shire covered in previous reports. Changes to the state rating trend. this format are likely in coming years as • the key driving pressures which can this is the final year of transition to the The SoE report forms part of the feedback affect the local environment and new Integrated Planning and Reporting responses to these pressures loop to assess whether our community framework. is moving towards its 20-year vision, as • the predicted trend for the future outlined in the Community Strategic Plan – based on the key drivers and the Each of the ten major themes in the SoE adopted in June 2011. A table outlining response undertaken are reported on under the following the Community Strategic Plan objectives headings. and how Council is working towards them Some of the key driving pressures facing is at the back of this report on page 67. our environment arise from past decisions At a Glance – An overview of that have left an ongoing legacy of the issue and the current state impact. In addition, our changing climate and growing population confront us with Current State – Assessment of a new variety of challenges. Fortunately, the issue (as declining, stable or there is evidence that we have the means improving) to disconnect, at least to some degree, the relationship between growth and Key Drivers – The pressures environmental impact. More people and impacting the issue more economic activity may mean more resource use, but the actual impact on the environment depends on where and how Response – What is being done the growth occurs, and how we live our to address the issue/drivers lives. Future Trends – Assessment of the likely state of the issue given the response References – Additional information sources on the issue creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 89 Sustainability in Action 2011/12 Sustainability is best defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Our Common Future, Brundtland Commission 1987). Ultimately, sustainability for the practice. It is important to note that Council is about doing things better Council uses a broad definition of and improving our environment, sustainability, encompassing much more community, economic performance than only ecological or environmental and governance. Council has a pivotal considerations. role to play in protecting the things and places our community values, The principles are a key part of Council’s providing essential services and helping endeavour to improve sustainability shape our way of living, for now and for across our organisation and within future generations. We are committed our community and were created to to creating and supporting a culture guide everything from planning and of sustainability in Council and the development decisions to every-day community. on-ground actions. The six sustainability principles are key to Wyong’s future Council has adopted a set of six key vision as outlined in the Community sustainability principles. These have Strategic Plan (2030). been created by staff with community input and are based on what we value Council’s Sustainability Principles are: and were benchmarked against national and international principles to ensure they were up to date with current best Think holistically. Good processes. Care for nature. Act responsibly. Improved outcomes. A sustainable Wyong Shire recognises A sustainable Wyong Shire A sustainable Wyong Shire recognises that people, nature and the demonstrates leadership, the intrinsic value of biodiversity and economy are affected by our actions. accountability, transparency and natural ecosystems, protecting the We plan for the long-term and financial responsibility in all decision environment for the benefit of all life recognise shorter term needs. making. forms. We integrate these considerations into We measure our prosperity by the We commit to the sustainable use of our decision making, working with the health and wellbeing of our people, natural resources to maintain healthy forms and functions of the natural environment and economy and ecological systems for the benefit of environment and with our social and strive for continuous improvement. present and future generations. economic attributes as the basis of our planning and development. taking 90 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Riparian workshop for community volunteers Care for nature. Smart, local, adaptable. Lead by example. Work together. A sustainable Wyong Shire leads by A sustainable Wyong Shire community A sustainable Wyong Shire responds example with actions for positive builds partnerships by engaging with to future challenges by embracing change and supports visionary policies and listening to all facets of society, innovation and acting timely and and practices within the community. working together for the benefit of the effectively. whole. We involve people with the relevant skills We base our actions locally, mindful of and knowledge in our projects and We have a culture of collaboration and our place in the world, building on our recognise there are many ways to achieve participation that encourages innovation, strengths and special qualities of place our goals. We embrace the opportunity sharing of resources, engagement and community. to learn from our actions and the in decision making and shared actions of others. accountability for all results. creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 91 Sustainability at Wyong Shire Council Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. For example, in 2011/2012 Council • Implemented a range of innovative However, Council has a leadership role celebrated the following sustainability sustainability education and in helping improve our understanding achievements: engagement trials and leadership of sustainability and to provide good programs for Council staff to examples of how to act more sustainably, • Completed the award winning improve Council’s performance and and inspire others to do likewise. Mardi-Mangrove Link Project, a key culture of sustainability. element in the region’s long-term • Further embedded sustainability The organisational performance of water supply. into key areas of Council through Council is pivotal in setting a good • Developed an internationally improved policy development, example for the rest of the community. recognised and top ten ranked decision making tools and staff This means that current practices should approach to asset management induction. not lead to a reduction in environmental, determining asset and project • Continued implementation of economic and social values, and should alignment to achieve quadruple ongoing