FINAL Knox Sustainable City Strategy 290808...Council to guide the Council’s ambition of achieving...

Knox City Council:2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy

Final strategy

29 August, 2008

Prepared for Knox City Council

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Report Register

This report register documents the development and issue of the report entitled Knox City Sustainable Environment Strategy undertaken by Context Pty Ltd in accordance with our internal quality management system.

Project No.

Issue No.

Notes/description Issue date Issued to

1216 5 Final strategy for circulation to Council

29 August, 2008

Bronwyn Cron, Andrew Paxton

© Context Pty Ltd 2008

Project Team:

David Speller, Practice Manager

Caitlin Scott, Team Leader , Community & Environment

Fae Ingledew, Project Consultant

Context Pty Ltd 22 Merri Street, Brunswick 3056

Phone 03 9380 6933 Facsimile 03 9380 4066

Email [email protected] Web www.context-pl.com.au

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CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

LIST OF ACRONYMS 1

INTRODUCTION 1

THEMES 10

IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY 13

BACKGROUND TO KNOX 16

1. BIODIVERSITY (PROTECTION OF HABITAT, FLORA AND FAUNA) 17

2. WATER (CONSERVATION AND QUALITY) 27

3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & LEADING BY EXAMPLE 39

4. WASTE MINIMISATION 52

5. SUSTAINABLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 64

6. INTEGRATED TRANSPORT 77

7. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION & MITIGATION (GREENHOUSE ACTION) 84

BACKGROUND TO THE STRATEGY 95

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 101

APPENDIX ONE: PEAK OIL 103

APPENDIX TWO: SUSTAINABILTY INDICATORS 105

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy has been developed by the Knox City Council to guide the Council’s ambition of achieving a sustainable city within a sustainable environment. The strategy has been built on the review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy.

The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy is a living document that informs decision-making within Council.

Vision 2025 Vision 2025 is Council’s vision for Knox that was created in partnership with community. A sustainable environment is consistent with the vision for:

• Healthy connected communities, with people working jointly toward the goals of sustainability.

• People feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally connected to their neighbourhood through greater access to open space and nature, and through collaborative community activity

• Open spaces which are shared safe places that increase community cohesion and wellbeing through positive social interactions

• Community activities that are affordable, accessible and accommodate all ages

• Partnerships between levels of government, the private and not for profit sectors that deliver innovative solutions to complex issues

• Greater transport choices that includes excellent public transport options and seamless connectivity for integrated travel

• Support for sustainable living. Within all sectors of the community, the norm will be conservative use of energy and water, waste minimisation, and enhancement and protection of the natural environment.

• Knox will have a green and leafy image

• Balanced quality urban development will provide more open space, supported by an attractive leafy green urban built environment.

Underlying Council’s Vision 2025 and the development of this strategy are the principles for sustainability which are outlined within this strategy.

Aim of this strategy The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy provides a framework for Council and community to move toward sustainability over the next ten years. It provides broad goals across seven themes: areas of environmental importance, critical to the achievement of sustainability in Knox. The goals for the seven themes are:

Theme Goal

Biodiversity (protection of habitat, flora and fauna

To improve biodiversity and health of ecosystems

Water (conservation and quality)

To create healthy and productive water systems

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Community Engagement & Leading by Example

To lead an engaged and empowered community

Waste Minimisation To reduce waste and improve product lifecycles

Sustainable Planning & Development

To increase the liveability of the city and develop sustainably

Integrated Transport To develop integrated, sustainable transport systems that provide multiple, connected transport choices

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (greenhouse action)

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and be well prepared for climate change

Each Goal establishes a longer term direction for the organisation, with each goal being achieved through a number of approaches. The approaches identified are measurable and linked to indicators which will enable Council to determine the trend towards achieving the goal.

Approaches that have been adopted for Biodiversity are:

• Prevent further extinctions of flora, fauna or ecological vegetation classes in Knox

• Increase habitat hectares across the municipality, including public and private land

• Establish a network of habitat corridors to join sites of significance with other areas of indigenous vegetation

• Improve community understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its conservation and protection

• Deliver focused programs for control of pest animals and weeds on private and public land

• Contribute to regional and global biodiversity working with regional partners

The strategy will be implemented through actions that Council can take in its own right with existing resources and budgets, and what Council can do to advocate and support community involvement in environmental improvement.

Environment Strategy Action Plan This strategy will be implemented using a 4-year rolling action plan. The strategy has been released with a plan for actions that will be delivered over a 4-year period.

In an iterative process of planning and review, at the end of each year performance against the plan will be reviewed. Based on the review and an assessment of current opportunities and priorities, actions for a further year will be added to the action plan each year. For example, at the beginning of 2009, the strategy will contain an action plan for the years 2009-2013. At the end of 2009, Council will report against the strategy, and revise the action plan to cover the years 2010-2014.

This approach has been taken to ensure that this strategy remains a living document, with actions that remain relevant over the course of time. New actions will build on existing work, take advantage of new opportunities and respond to changing community concerns and interests.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Developing the strategy Context Pty Ltd was contracted by Council to conduct a review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy and to prepare the Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy.

This review is a continuation of the process of environmental planning that commenced in 1994 with the development of the Knox Local Conservation Strategy.

Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy Review The review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy showed that steps have been taken toward achieving the goal of a sustainable city. Actions that have resulted from the strategy include:

• establishment of various policies including Net Gain Policy, Bush Blvd Policy, Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy, Ecological Sustainable Design Policy

• establishment of a landscape assessment team including an arborist

• establishment of a regional biodiversity group, with membership including neighbouring Councils, Parks Victoria, Vic Roads and Melbourne Water

• Community and school planting programs are implemented annually

• Additional Bushland Officers have been employed to further protect remnant vegetation and engage with the community around indigenous vegetation

• Gardens for Wildlife and Greenleaf community engagement programs have been implemented

• Schools for Sustainability program commenced in 2007

• Demonstration wetland projects have been established at Koolamara Waters, Waterford Valley, and Bergins Road

• A Sustainable Water Use Plan has been adopted by Council

• Micromet irrigation systems have been installed in over 40 ovals to reduce water consumption

• Waterless urinals and dual flush cisterns have been installed in community facilities

• Installation of water tanks to community facilities

• A number of Waterwatch sites have been established along Old Joes Creek and Dandenong Creek

• The Victorian Local Sustainability Accord has been adopted and Local Environment Sustainability Priority Statement prepared

• A Triple Bottom Line (TBL) scoresheet is used to rank capital works projects

• A TBL Fleet Scoresheet has been developed to assess and rank the Council vehicle fleet

• The MSS has been updated to include sustainability issues within planning processes

As a result of these actions, Council has achieved the following results:

Reduction in greenhouse emissions: Council has achieved its 2010 target of a 30% reduction of greenhouse emissions in 2008, with further reductions planned.

Reduction in water consumption: Council has realised significant potable water savings, achieved by reducing water consumption by Council through the installation of tanks with a capacity in excess of 1.5 mega litres, dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, flow restrictors, etc.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Substantial water savings have been achieved in partnership with the community through the shower head exchange program (in excess of 7,000 exchanged), GreenLeaf program, library talks and information sessions.

Other measurable achievements: Through active volunteerism and friends groups, in excess of 30,000 plants are planted each year, tonnes of rubbish removed and extensive weed programs are undertaken. In excess of 500 people are involved with friends groups across Knox.

INTRODUCTION

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LIST OF ACRONYMS BIEC Beverage Industry Environment Council

CMA Catchment Management Authority

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

DEWHA Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

DHS Department of Human Services

DPI Department of Primary Industry

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

EES Environment Effects Statement

EPA Environment Protection Authority Victoria

ESC Essential Services Commission

ESD Ecological Sustainable Development

EVC Ecological Vegetation Class

GIS Geographical Information System

ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives

IPCC International Panel on Climate Change

IRC Indicator of River Condition

KES Knox Environment Society

MAV Municipal Association of Victoria

MSS Municipal Strategic Statement

Parks Vic Parks Victoria

PPWCMA Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority

RWMG Regional Waste Management Group

SDS Sustainable Development Scorecard

SME Small to Medium Enterprise

STEPS Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy

SWQMP Stormwater Quality Management Plan

TBL Triple Bottom Line

VIMPIRE Vulnerability Index for Mortgage, Petrol and Inflation Risks and Exposure

WHO World Health Organisation

WSUD Water Sensitive Urban Design

INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy has been developed by the Knox City Council to guide the Council’s ambition of achieving a sustainable city. The strategy has been built on the review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy

The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy is a living document that informs decision-making within Council.

Aim of this strategy The Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy provides a framework for Council and community to move toward sustainability over the next ten years. It provides broad goals across seven themes: areas of environmental importance, critical to the achievement of sustainability in Knox. The goals for the seven themes are:

Theme Goal













Each Goal will establish a longer term direction for the organisation, with each goal being achieved through a number of approaches (see page 2). The approaches identified with be measurable and linked to indicators which will enable Council to determine the trend towards achieving the goal.

The strategy will be implemented through actions that Council can take in its own right with existing resources and budgets, and what Council can do to advocate and support community involvement in environmental improvement.

This cooperative approach between Council and community has become the hallmark of Council’s approach to environmental planning since the development of the 1994 Knox Local Conservation Strategy.

INTRODUCTION

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Themes, goals and approaches This diagram displays the goal and approaches for each of the themes.

Theme and goal Approaches

1. Biodiversity (Protection of habitat, flora and fauna)

GOAL: To improve biodiversity and health of ecosystems

2. Water (conservation and quality)

GOAL: To create healthy and productive water systems

3. Community engagement & leading by example

GOAL: To lead an engaged and empowered community

4. Waste minimisation

GOAL: To reduce waste and improve project lifecycles

5. Sustainable Planning & Development

GOAL: To increase the liveability of the city and to develop sustainably

6. Integrated Transport

GOAL: To develop integrated, sustainable transport systems that provide multiple, connected transport choices

7. Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation (Greenhouse Action)

GOAL: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and be well prepared for climate change

1.1 Prevent further extinctions of flora, fauna or ecological vegetation classes in Knox

1.2 Increase habitat hectares across the municipality, including public and private land

1.3 Establish a network of habitat corridors to join sites of significance with other areas of indigenous vegetation

1.4 Improve community understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its conservation and protection

1.5 Deliver focused programs for the control of pest animals and weeds on private and public land

1.6 Contribute to regional and global biodiversity, working with regional partners

1.7 Create a greener city with more trees and indigenous vegetation in public spaces, and thriving iconic species

2.1 Reduce the consumption of potable water in Council Operations

2.2 Increase water quality (including reducing levels of pollution) and the associated environmental values in local waterways

2.3 Utilise alternative sources of water

2.4 Gain widespread community involvement in water conservation and rainwater harvesting

3.1 Establish sustainability demonstration projects

3.2 Provide opportunities for community members to participate in meaningful ways

3.3 Provide effective resources to the community to facilitate behaviour change

3.4 Advocate to other levels of Government and relevant agencies for higher standards in order to move towards a sustainable city

3.5 Understand the future by keeping abreast of new information, research and identifying emerging issues

4.1 Provide effective recycling systems

4.2 Reduce waste at the source

4.3 Contribute to supply-chain management of waste

4.4 Encourage greater re-use of materials

4.5 Understand the social, environmental and economic implications of all purchasing decisions considering the whole lifecycle of products and services

4.6 Reduce and manage litter

5.1 Define the preferred urban character of Knox

5.2 Consider sustainability in all developments

5.3 Create a city where people can live, work and recreate locally

5.4 Consider the implications of Climate Change on the Built Form of Knox

5.5 Encourage, attract and retain sustainable businesses to Knox

6.1 Improve walkability and cyclability

6.2 Improve connectivity of transport modes and services (Between modes e.g. bike and train and frequency, hours of operation, etc.)

6.3 Increase the range of public transport choices available

7.1 Achieve community and council greenhouse gas reduction goals

7.2 Offset greenhouse gas emissions

7.3 Plan for adaptation to climate change

7.4 Develop partnerships to address climate change mitigation and adaptation

7.5 Improve air quality

INTRODUCTION

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Scope of the strategy

Characteristics of a sustainable community As a society we have come a long way in our understanding of the significance and immediacy of the environmental issues that we face.

For example, in recent times there has been a significant shift in the community understanding of climate change. For many years there has been uncertainty and scepticism about climate change, whereas now there is still uncertainty about the future nature and extent of climate change, but little uncertainty about its existence. Globally, climate change as a result of human activity has been accepted as a reality we must collectively manage.

This change in community understanding has been reflected in community actions. The ability of the community to respond to environmental issues can be seen in the many green gardens around Melbourne and the City of Knox: Despite the current drought and heavy water restrictions, community members have managed to keep their gardens growing well by installing water tanks, diverting grey water, and carrying used water by the bucket load from bathrooms to the garden or by changing their garden to be less water intensive through species choice.

This capacity of the community to respond can also be seen at the check-out of local supermarkets. Shoppers of all ages carry their green bags and other alternatives to reduce the demand for plastic bags. Sections of the community are aware there is an issue, however are often unsure about what they can do individually and if this will actually make a difference.

In this strategy, Council has adopted an approach to sustainability that it believes is contemporary and aligned with local governments internationally, embodies the principles of sustainability (see table next page) and which is also consistent with community aspirations that are reflected in Vision 2025.

Vision 2025 Vision 2025 is Council’s vision for Knox that was created in partnership with community. A sustainable environment is consistent with the vision for:

• Healthy connected communities, with people working jointly toward the goals of sustainability.

• People feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally connected to their neighbourhood through greater access to open space and nature, and through collaborative community activity

• Open spaces which are shared safe places that increase community cohesion and wellbeing through positive social interactions

• Community activities that are affordable, accessible and accommodate for people of all ages

• Partnerships between levels of government, the private and not for profit sectors that deliver innovative solutions to complex issues

• Greater transport choices that includes excellent public transport options and seamless connectivity for integrated travel

• Support for sustainable living. Within all sectors of the community, the norm will be conservative use of energy and water, waste minimisation, and enhancement and protection of the natural environment.

• Knox will have a green and leafy image

INTRODUCTION

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• Balanced quality urban development will provide more open space, supported by an attractive leafy green urban built environment.

Underlying Council’s Vision 2025 and the development of this strategy are the principles for sustainability which are outlined below.

A Triple Bottom Line Approach The term Triple Bottom Line, or TBL, refers to the consideration of economic, social and environmental aspects in all decision making. This is an alternative to the more widely used single bottom line approach in which decisions are made with sole consideration of the financial bottom line.

Council has embraced the philosophical position of triple bottom line decision making and reporting in all areas of its business. This is reflected in the development of Council’s three core strategic documents:

a. Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy (social)

b. Economic Development Strategy (economic)

c. Sustainable Environment Strategy (environment)

These strategies will guide and inform Council’s triple bottom line approach to all Council business and operations.

Following the direction of these three strategies will pave the way for Council to create a truly sustainable city that exists in harmony with the natural environment and which meets the needs of people living within it.

INTRODUCTION

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Principles of sustainability Embodied within the vision and characteristics of a sustainable society is the objective of sustainability which is:

To meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

When we consider environmental sustainability, we are considering ways in which we can live a high-quality lifestyle both now and in the future without damaging the ecological systems that we rely on to survive while, at the same time, reversing the damage that has already been done.

There are a number of principles that will assist us in meeting this goal:

Take a systemic view

In ecological systems, everything is inter-connected. The connections are not always obvious to us, but they are there. When we make decisions, we must think beyond local or immediate impacts.

Live within our budget

When we take resources from the environment, we must not take them any faster than the rate at which they are replaced.

And we must not produce more waste than the natural environment is able to assimilate without damage.

Remember our place

We are a part of the natural world. Our survival depends on many ecosystems working together. We must look after and protect the natural systems that support us, such as the many life-forms that clean our air and our water.

Every little bit counts

We must each strive to do things that are good for the environment, no matter how small. The damage that has been done to the environment has come from each of us doing small things. Repairing the damage will come from each of us continuing to take small steps forward.

We are custodians, not owners

We must remember the future generations of all species when we make decisions. The way in which we choose to use resources now will determine how future generations are able to live

The Precautionary Principle

When we do not know what impact our actions will have on the environment, we should err on the side of caution. Lack of sufficient knowledge about the possible impacts our actions may cause should be a reason to consider NOT following our planned action

NOTE: These principles of sustainability have been developed by Context Pty Ltd from a range of sources to provide a clear set of principles for sustainability that are readily understandable by the general community.

INTRODUCTION

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A Sustainable Environment Throughout the consultation community members were asked to imagine and to describe what a sustainable environment will look like.

The features that were described for Knox fit broadly into two categories: Physical changes, and Social changes. The physical changes are ones that will be evident to a person walking through Knox. The social changes are ones that will be more evident to people who live and work in Knox.

Drawing on the input from all, we describe below the many physical and social changes that community members imagine will be evident in a sustainable city compared with how the City of Knox is in 2008.

Physical changes

• Public transport: Public transport will be used a lot more by all. Increased usage will be achieved by having public transport that is:

o Public transport has equal standing with other transport forms. It is a quality transport choice that meets community needs

o More regular – greater frequency of public transport will mean it is a more effective means of getting about

o Better connected – different forms of public transport are timetabled and structured to support integrated transport use: it will be easy to catch a train for part of a journey, jump onto a bus, and then cycle the remainder of the trip. The improved transport system will include a local tram service

o Linked to the right places – public transport will run to all places that are important for community activities

• Walking and cycling:

o Good cycling and walking paths will make it easy to get around the city safely by bicycle or on foot.

o Programs such as walking school buses and cycling school buses will make it possible for children to ride or walk to school rather than travelling by car.

o Storage facilities at key nodes and destinations will encourage a greater use.

• Housing: Houses will be built from sustainable materials. Houses will be designed or retrofitted to include:

o Efficient use of energy, and use of renewable energy

o Rainwater capture, efficient use of water and recycling of greywater

o Gardens full of drought-tolerant indigenous plants that support local indigenous fauna

o There will be fewer houses that are oversized for the number of people living in them. The past approach of building oversized houses will have ceased as this practice will be seen to use excessive resources in their construction and their operation.

o Energy star ratings that go well beyond the current mandatory 5-star rating for new homes. Tools will be developed to assist in identifying options to improve performance

INTRODUCTION

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o Encouraging higher density housing in activity centres and in close proximity to services and facilities

o Demonstration projects to showcase how ESD can be built into houses

o Houses that are affordable both to build / purchase and to live in into the future.

• Water: there will be many changes in relation to the management and use of water:

o There will be fewer impermeable surfaces that prevent rainwater soaking into the ground and flowing into the water table

o Rainwater will be seen as a valuable resource that is captured and used rather than piped away as quickly as possible. There will be increased capacity to capture stormwater from large/intense rainfall events

o Waterways (creeks and streams) will be restored to provide healthy living ecosystems

o Recycled water will be piped into buildings for non-drinking purposes such as laundry, toilets, gardens and other functions that do not require potable water

o Reduce the connectivity of piped storm water systems by integrating Water Sensitive Urban Design.

• Energy: Throughout the City;

o Much less energy will be used

o Energy efficiency will be considered in the design of all buildings, appliances and infrastructure such as street lighting.

o Energy used will come from renewable sources such as solar and wind power.

o There will be more decentralised energy generation with solar panels on homes feeding power into the electricity grid

• Plants and animals: Throughout the city there will be a strong sense of sharing the space with nature. This will be seen through:

o An increase in the quality and connectivity of open space throughout the city

o Greater use of indigenous plants in streets, private gardens, public open space and community facilities

o Corridors connecting bushland reserves and other spaces that are important for biodiversity

o All new developments are designed to fit harmoniously with the natural environment rather than to replace it

o Nature strips and roadside verges will be planted with indigenous species in preference to introduced grasses

• Waste: A number of changes in relation to waste will be evident:

o Waste will be seen as a resource with most waste going to alternative treatment processes. All products will be designed to be reused or recycled, with less packaging. As a consequence, less waste per capita will go to landfill

o There will be an increase in the amount of resources being recycled

o Bins will be available throughout the city for recycling

INTRODUCTION

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o Most shoppers will carry their own bag for shopping rather than needing a plastic bag from the shop

o Open space and waterways are cleaner, and free of litter

o Manufacturers will be responsible for the entire life cycle of their product including packaging and disposal. (Extended producer responsibility)

Social changes

• Community awareness: Community members will have a greater awareness of the meaning of sustainability, and what it is that each person can do to contribute toward a sustainable city. This will be reflected through:

o Better purchasing decisions. People will purchase less waste, purchase energy and water efficient goods, include sustainability as a design requirement for houses, and want more information from suppliers about goods they are buying

o People will make purchasing decisions that consider the ethical and environmental credentials of both the business and the goods.

o Shopping locally. People will prefer to purchase goods that are grown and manufactured locally

o People will be more aware about what can be recycled, and will make conscious decisions to recycle where possible

o People will choose to plant indigenous species to support local biodiversity. They will understand the connection between the plants they choose to grow and the health of local indigenous fauna populations

o People will expect Council to be accountable in contributing to a sustainable city through all aspects of its work

• Stronger communities: People will have a greater sense of community and will be more actively involved in their community. This will be reflected through:

o Active involvement of community groups in activities such as maintaining bushland reserves, waterways and other aspects of the physical environment

o Living locally: People will work more locally, shop locally (buying locally grown and made produce from local suppliers), and recreate locally supporting a village-style community

o Community pride in having jointly created a sustainable city that exists in harmony with the natural environment

• Connected to nature: People will;

o Spend more time engaged in outdoor activities, and will have a stronger sense of their connection to nature

o Be healthier physically and mentally through connection with nature

• Healthier communities: People living in the sustainable city will be healthier for a number of reasons. They will:

o Have cleaner air and waterways

o Travel more on foot or by bicycle

o Spend more time engaged in outdoor activities

INTRODUCTION

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Council will also have in place health strategies to manage the effects of climate change such as increased occurrences of heat waves and periods of extreme cold, and effects of airborne pollutants such as pollens.

• New social values: With the focus on sustainability, people have taken the opportunity to address each aspect of the triple bottom line: Environmental, Economic and Social aspects of life in the city. With regard to social responsibility they expect to have:

o A good work – life balance

o Family friendly facilities and work places

o Support services for health and childcare located in places that are easily accessible both from home and from their workplaces

o Active engagement in the democratic and decision making processes

o Transparent decision making

• Social equity: All community members will have equal access to resources such as food, transport and alternative technologies. The economic impacts of climate change and other social change will be shared across the community with no sector being disadvantaged through not being able to respond to the changing environment and economy

• Community and Council: Council will be more actively involved with the local community, assisting community members to have a strong role in making decisions about their sustainable city, and providing training and resources to assist people to participate actively in creating the sustainable city. Community members will be able to rely on Council to provide accurate and timely advice about sustainability matters.

Attaining this vision This vision will be attained by Council and community working together, to achieve the vision of a sustainable natural environment through the identified goals in the seven themes.

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THEMES

This strategy addresses seven themes.

• Biodiversity (protection of habitat, flora and fauna)

• Water (conservation and quality)

• Community Engagement & Leading By Example

• Waste (minimisation, recycling and green purchasing)

• Sustainable Planning and Development

• Integrated Transport

• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (Greenhouse Emissions)

For each of these themes, this strategy identifies a goal, approaches and indicators.

Goals For each theme a goal has been set. These are:

Theme Goal













These are ambitious goals for Knox. They have been set to drive the city toward sustainability.

Achievement in each of the themes will see natural systems that are protected and enhanced, and a healthy human population living in balance with nature. People will live in a city where there will be abundant indigenous birds, mammals and fish. There will be more trees in public spaces, and local species will abound. Environmental impacts within and beyond the boundaries of Knox will have been reduced. The city will also be more responsive to the needs of people: Effective, integrated transport systems will transport people around their city which provides locally the goods and services that are needed.

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Within each theme, approaches have been identified. Council will work toward the goal by following the approaches that are specified.

For example, Council will make progress toward the biodiversity goal of improved biodiversity and health of ecosystems by taking the following approaches:

• Prevent further extinctions of flora, fauna or ecological vegetation classes in Knox

• Increase habitat hectares across the municipality including public and private land

• Establish a network of habitat corridors to join sites of significance with other areas of indigenous vegetation

• Improve community understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its conservation and protection

• Deliver focused programs for the control of pest animals and weeds on public and private land

• Contribute to regional and global biodiversity, working with regional partners

• Create a greener city with more trees and indigenous vegetation in public spaces, and thriving iconic species

Council will develop actions that are consistent with these approaches.

Complex systems and overlapping outcomes Natural systems are complex and do not operate in isolation. The health of ecological communities is directly related to the health of the physical environment (waterways, land quality etc.), climate systems and other ecological communities.

Given this complexity, it is important not to focus actions in one area and to expect overall environmental improvement. For example, addressing the very pressing current issue of climate change will not result in healthy ecosystems unless it is accompanied by action on biodiversity, waterways, waste and the other issues addressed in this strategy.

This strategy has been developed with 7 themes. It is intended that action will be taken under each of these directions for any action to really be successful. It may not be possible to take action across all 7 themes concurrently, however there may be multiple benefits across themes from one action. For example, increasing indigenous vegetation will affect biodiversity in the area. The increased vegetation will provide habitat for indigenous fauna, and also contribute to successful flora ecosystems. But in addition to this, the action of increasing vegetation will also contribute to better waterways and water quality, and also have an impact on climate change by storing carbon.

Each system will be addressed over time.

The cost of living sustainably Many people assume that living sustainably will mean a reduction in our living standards and a return to more primitive ways of living, in some ways similar to the conditions of developing nations.

Living sustainably will mean that we must all make some changes to our current ways of living such as making different transport choices, perhaps having less convenience that may be provided by disposable goods, and keeping ourselves informed about sustainability so that we can make informed decisions about what we purchase.

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Living sustainably will not mean losing our current standard of living – it will mean we must find different ways to achieve the same ends. Choosing renewable electricity generation will not mean we cannot use our electrical equipment, rather it will still run but will have less impact because the electricity is from a more sustainable source.

Some products which are essential for a more sustainable lifestyle such as solar panels and water tanks are quite expensive and out of reach for some community members. Over time, market pressure from the demand for sustainable products and technologies will make them more accessible to the wider community, and they will become the norm. Rather than being a product that you buy to retrofit your home, water tanks, solar panels, double glazing and other features will be included as standard features in all new buildings.

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IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY The Sustainable Environment Strategy does not sit alone. Rather, it has been developed to sit within the context of other plans and strategies that provide direction for Council. The diagram below shows how this strategy sits in relation to Council’s overall planning structure.

Vision 2025 Council and Community

Council Strategy for delivering Vision 2025

Social

Community Health & Wellbeing Strategy

Environment

Sustainable Environment Strategy

Economic

Economic Development Strategy

Vision 2025 Outcomes:

Healthy connected communities

Culturally Rich and Active Communities


Sustainable Natural Environment


Prosperous modern economy

Dynamic Services

Balanced quality urban development

Accessible transport choices

18 year vision

10 year strategies: What will be achieved

Community Council Plans

Rolling 4-year business plans

Annual Plans

Act

ion

Plan

(G

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hous

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Act

ion

Plan

(I

nteg

rate

d T

rans

port

)

Act

ion

Plan

(S

usta

inab

le C

ity)

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This strategy has been developed to provide direction to Council on the development of actions that will lead to a sustainable city. Rather than including a comprehensive set of actions that will be delivered during the life of the plan, a four-year rolling action plan has been adopted and will be updated during the life of the strategy.

Financing the strategy Approval of the strategy does not mean Council has committed budget to the implementation. Tasks that will be completed in the first year of the strategy have been identified and these have been budgeted for. Further budget will be allocated in following years as a part of the rolling action planning and budget process.

Community and Council working together Council’s approach to working with the community on achieving a sustainable environment is built on the understanding that there are three core ways in which Council can cause change to happen. These are:

• Actions that Council can take in its own right, using existing resources within its normal operations

• Actions that can be directed through the use of policy, regulations and enforcement such as the requirement for energy efficient buildings

• Actions that arise out of Council’s influence on others, through leadership and role modelling, partnerships, community education and advocacy

These levels of action are shown in the diagram below:

The diagram above shows the nesting of ways in which Council can effect change. The size of each sphere represents the scale of the audience that can potentially be reached through each approach.

The nesting also represents degrees of effectiveness or difficulty. Council is most effective when working on direct action which it is able to control. Some compliance can be enforced when using regulation and policy, however in the outer sphere where Council works to influence the behaviours of others, there is a high degree of reliance on those people choosing to work with or be influenced by Council.

Action by Council

Regulation and policy

Influence

INTRODUCTION

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Sustainable Environment Strategy Action Plan This strategy will be implemented using a 4-year rolling action plan. The strategy has been released with a plan for actions that will be delivered over a 4-year period.

In an iterative process of planning and review, at the end of each year performance against the plan will be reviewed. Based on the review and an assessment of current opportunities and priorities, actions for a further year will be added to the action plan each year. For example, at the beginning of 2009, the strategy will contain an action plan for the years 2009-2013. At the end of 2009, Council will report against the strategy, and revise the action plan to cover the years 2010-2014.

This approach has been taken to ensure that this strategy remains a living document, with actions that remain relevant over the course of time. New actions will build on existing work, take advantage of new opportunities and respond to changing community concerns and interests.

When considering and developing actions, Council will consider what it can do in its own right with existing resources and budgets, and what Council can do to advocate and support community involvement in environmental improvement.

This cooperative approach of Council working with community has become the hallmark of Council’s approach to environmental planning since the development of the 1994 Knox Local Conservation Strategy.

This collaborative approach is also consistent with Vision 2025, which aims to develop healthy connected communities that are culturally rich and active, living in a sustainable environment.

Action Plan review process The Knox Sustainable Environment Strategy Action Plan will be reviewed and reported on annually to Council.

The Year 1 Tasks will be discussed with the Environment Advisory Committee in December each year to identify priorities and emerging issues. This will be discussed with Council resulting in further scoping of particular tasks and business cases to lead into the budget process by March each year.

INTRODUCTION

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BACKGROUND TO KNOX Covering an area of 114 square kilometres and situated approximately 25 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD, Knox has, until recently, been one of Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities. Geographically Knox is unique in that it is almost completely surrounded by a “Green Belt” including several of Melbourne’s major parks.

The City of Knox is located at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges and is surrounded by Dandenong Valley Parklands, Dandenong Ranges National Park and Churchill National Park. There are also several linear reserves running through the municipality along the Blind, Ferny, Monbulk, Corhanwarrabul and Dandenong Creek corridors. These parks as well as the many bushland reserves provide for numerous passive recreational opportunities

This unique landscape setting provides a strong cultural, social and environmental reference point for all residents. Knox residents are proud, passionate and protective of this landscape and its associated values.

Knox is also one of the most populous municipalities in Victoria with 152,509 residents. Currently the majority of this population is aged 0 – 49 years, however the demographics of the population is shifting towards a maturing population.

The overall population is anticipated to grow to 159,366 by 2016, followed by slowing annual increases to around 170,000 by 2031. This anticipated growth provides both challenges and opportunities for progress toward a more sustainable environment.

BIODIVERSITY (PROTECTION OF HABITAT, FLORA AND FAUNA)

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1. BIODIVERSITY (PROTECTION OF HABITAT, FLORA AND FAUNA)

Goal: To improve biodiversity and health of ecosystems The goal for biodiversity is ‘To improve biodiversity and health of ecosystems’. This is consistent with the objective of flourishing and healthy ecosystems outlined in Our Environment Our Future, Victoria’s state-wide sustainability strategy. This goal sets an ambitious goal for Knox but one that has been set to drive the city toward a sustainable natural environment. Achievement of the goal will see flora and fauna in the city protected and enhanced. Ecosystems – or the systems of plants and animals that interact together in nature – will be healthy, with abundant indigenous birds, mammals and fish. There will be more trees in public spaces, and local species will abound. The overall look and feel of Knox will be greener.

Approach 1.2 Increase habitat hectares across the municipality, including public and private land

Indicators 1.a

Approach 1.3 Establish a network of habitat corridors to join sites of significance with other areas of indigenous vegetation

Indicators 1.b

Approach 1.4 Improve community understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its conservation and protection

Indicators 1.f

Approach 1.5 Deliver focused programs for the control of pest animals and weeds on private and public land

Indicators 1.a, 1.c, 1.d

Approach 1.6 Contribute to regional and global biodiversity, working with regional partners

Indicators 1.g

Approach 1.7 Create a greener city with more trees and indigenous vegetation in public spaces, and thriving iconic species

Indicators 1.a, 1.b, 1.e, 1.f

Approach 1.1 Prevent further extinctions of flora, fauna or ecological vegetation classes in Knox

Indicators 1.c, 1.d,

Indicators 1.a Habitat hectares (area, number of)

1.b Ratio of sites linked to unlinked (Connectivity)

1.c Number of threatened, endangered or extinct species

1.d Number of threatened, endangered or extinct EVCs

1.e Tree cover (ratio)

1.f Community participation in biodiversity education programs

1.g Activity with regional partners

Vision 2025 Achieving outcomes for biodiversity will contribute to the following outcomes from Vision 2025:

▪ Sustainable natural environment

▪ Balance quality urban development

▪ Culturally rich and active communities

▪ Healthy connected communities


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Biodiversity in Knox The City of Knox is located at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges and is surrounded by Dandenong Valley Parklands, Dandenong Ranges National Park and Churchill National Park. There are also several linear reserves running through the municipality along the Blind, Ferny, Monbulk, Corhanwarrabul and Dandenong Creek corridors. These parks and the many bushland reserves provide for numerous passive recreational opportunities in addition to sustaining many unique species of indigenous flora and fauna. Knox spans two bioregions known as the Gippsland Plain Bioregion and the Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion. Within these bioregions are currently 16 Ecological Vegetation Classes.

This unique landscape setting provides a strong cultural, social and environmental reference point for all residents. Knox residents are proud, passionate and protective of this landscape and its associated values.

Local Flora The native vegetation of Knox is dominated by tall eucalypt forests and scrub bushland. Local forest areas are characterised by an open canopy with dense understorey. Eucalypts found in Knox include Swamp Gum, Manna Gum, Stringybark, Box Gum and Messmate. Plant communities in Knox tend to become lush and denser in undergrowth towards the Dandenong Ranges. A contributing factor to this variation is the increase in moisture availability. The rainfall pattern across the municipality varies from under 800mm in the west, to over 1200mm in the east where the land rises sharply into the Dandenong Ranges.

Local Fauna

The fauna of Knox is mainly urban species found in many Melbourne municipalities, however, the fauna of Knox is enhanced by its close proximity to the Dandenong Ranges. Some of the species found within the municipality include Ringtail and Brushtail Possums, Sugar Gliders, Feathertail Gliders, Blue Tongue lizards, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. In addition to these common species, other animals such as Echidnas, Platypus,


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Swamp Wallabies, Bush Rats, Bats, Black Cockatoos, Falcons and Gang Gang Cockatoos have been recorded in Knox.

Management Challenges There are a number of challenges in managing the precious biodiversity assets of Knox City Council. Research1 shows that biodiversity is in decline in Knox, with less than 4% of the original vegetation cover still remaining. Over the life of this strategy one of the objectives is to halt and reverse this trend. A key outcome is ensuring that there are no further extinctions in Knox. To achieve better outcomes for Knox in the life of this strategy a number of threats and challenges must be managed:

• Direct destruction and modification of habitat for residential and commercial land uses: Sub division of semi-rural and suburban blocks for medium density housing in Knox is resulting in a reduction in the number and size of backyards and paddocks in Knox. In the past, these have played an important role in providing habitat for a range of native species. Large trees are also being removed; this also has a major effect on the aesthetic and environmental quality of Knox.

• Maintaining the integrity of the local flora’s gene pool: Threats to the genetic integrity through inappropriate planting can add to the assault on quality habitat through cross pollination or hybridisation of plant species which are not of local provenance. Ensuring planting of local provenance vegetation near significant sites may assist in maintaining local genetic integrity and maintain characteristics that have adapted to the local area through an evolutionary process.

• Competition and predation of native fauna and the dispersal of weeds by feral and domestic animals: Domestic and introduced animals both prey on and compete with native species for food and habitat. Cats and foxes are a particularly serious threat to local bird life, and species such as deer pose a major threat to remaining stands of native forest in the region.

• Weeds and alteration of vegetation structure: Weed invasion is a major threat to forest and woodlands in Knox. Weeds compete with native species and often reduce diversity as they overtake local species that are less robust. Major weed species in Knox include Sweet Pittosporum, Blackberry, Cotoneaster, Angled Onion, Sweet Vernal-grass, Asparagus Fern, Large Quaking-grass, Greater Bindweed, Red Cestrum, Boneseed, Hawthorn, Montbretia, English Broom, Cape Ivy and Sallow Wattle.

• Pollution and siltation of waterways and drainage lines: Aquatic biodiversity includes fish, platypus and the invertebrates that provide a food source for these animals, such as fresh water shrimp and water bugs. Pollution and siltation of local waterways occurs as a result of run off from construction and agricultural land, changes to drainage patterns, storm water, industrial spills and incidental rubbish dumping. In addition to degrading the in-stream habitat for aquatic biodiversity, low water quality has impacts on water birds, platypus, wallaby and other fauna that rely on the water source.

• Dumping of rubbish and garden waste in bushland areas: A lack of community understanding of the biological values of bushland reserves underpins behaviour that directly threatens biodiversity in Knox. The direct impacts of rubbish dumping include spreading weeds and providing food for vermin such as rats that pose a threat to native species. Rubbish dumping also creates odour and detracts from the overall amenity of public reserves. Waterways can also be contaminated as a result.

1 Biological Sites of Significance Study review 2008 by Dr Graeme Lorimer


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• Climate change – climate change is a major threat to biodiversity in Australia. Scientific modelling suggests that it will hasten the current trend of species extinction across south east Australia, particularly impacting on those species that are already vulnerable and have a limited range.

• Fragmentation – Fragmentation is identified as a significant threat to remnant vegetation through the increased edge effect, through the barriers to flora & fauna movement and through disturbance and weed invasion.

• Fire – Indigenous plants have adapted to suit the Australian climate with specific requirements for differing fire regimes. The urban setting is not always conducive to natural fire regimes.

IPCC’s (2001) “reasons for concern” reflecting the differential vulnerability among systems to climate change and the tendency for impacts to increase with temperature. A temperature rise of only a few degrees will pose a risk to many unique and threatened systems.

Managing Biodiversity There are a number of organisations that have a role in managing land and biodiversity in Knox. These include Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Vic Track, Vic Roads, friends groups, schools and private citizens. Council has a role in working with these groups and community to explore ways for improving biodiversity. Because plants and animals do not respect property boundaries, and can have broad ranges, protecting and enhancing habitat must be a cooperative effort between land holders. Every property owner in Knox has a potential to impact on biodiversity conservation, whether it is through a backyard that provides habitat for native species, a paddock that retains native grasses, or plantings on a housing estate.

Community Views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. In their views on how biodiversity would be supported in a sustainable Knox, community members said that they would expect:

• People will understand the importance of biodiversity , and what they can do to support it


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• Indigenous wildlife (flora and fauna) will flourish in Knox and ecosystems will function naturally

• There will be more open space, with open space supporting healthy indigenous species

• Existing open space such as nature strips will be utilised to support indigenous species and create a greener city

• Wildlife corridors will be created to connect open space and areas with important remnant vegetation

• People will select vegetation for their gardens that supports local biodiversity

• Fewer introduced species will be used in public places

• Community members (individuals and groups) will play a very active part in supporting local biodiversity through friends groups and other participatory processes

• Knox is a greener city, there are more canopy trees and understorey shrubs, tree-lined streets, more wildlife

• No species have been lost in Knox since 2008

• Knox platypus populations are stable in major waterways, and waterways in Knox have returned to their natural state

Outcomes for biodiversity GOAL: To improve biodiversity and health of ecosystems To achieve improved biodiversity and improved ecosystem health Council will work to adopt the following approaches over the next 10 years. It is around these approaches that actions and strategies to improve biodiversity will be developed and measured.

• Prevent further extinctions of flora, fauna or ecological vegetation classes in Knox2: populations of native species in Knox are under threat from habitat destruction, drought and other threats. In some cases, for example the platypus, local populations have dropped to unsustainable levels. This is likely to result in the disappearance of platypus from waterways in Knox. Knox also provides habitat for species that are threatened and vulnerable within the broader region, such as the gang -gang cockatoo. Ensuring there are no more extinctions in Knox will mean protecting habitat, and controlling threats that impact both on species that are based in Knox, and for which the land in Knox provides part of their habitat. Work will also need to be undertaken to identify those species that area most likely to be seriously affected by changes in climate.

• Increase habitat hectares across the municipality, including public and private land: habitat hectares are a broad measure of the condition and extent of native vegetation in an area. The measure includes vegetation structure, distribution, connectivity and weeds. Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework – a framework for action 2002 (NVMF) is the state wide policy for the restoration and enhancement of native vegetation, specifically on private land. Knox City Council has developed a Net Gain Policy to implement state policy. This will guide planning

2 Taken directly from Vision 2025


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decisions, ensuring that there is a net habitat gain within Knox and in individual proposals. 3

• Establish a network of habitat corridors to join sites of significance for biodiversity with other areas of indigenous vegetation: Knox has completed a Sites of Biological Significance Study that maps the places in Knox that have special value for biodiversity. Ensuring that these sites are protected from inappropriate development is fundamental to their protection in Knox. This will be assisted by linking the sites of significance to the Knox planning scheme. Maintaining existing habitat corridors and developing new ones in the future is critical to link the remaining patches of habitat on which local wildlife relies for feeding, breeding and shelter.

• Improve community understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its conservation and protection: many community members are unaware of the ways in which their day to day activities may have an impact on biodiversity, or of the importance of functioning ecosystems to sustaining life on earth. At the same time, most people want to ‘do the right thing’ environmentally, but often do not know how. Educational programs will be an important vehicle for Council to improve community understanding, and provide practical advice to people about ways that they can contribute to biodiversity conservation in Knox.

• Deliver focused programs for the control of pest animals and weeds on private and public land: native plants and animals are threatened by a range of introduced predators including foxes, rabbits, dogs and cats. Domestic animals are a particular issue in urban areas. Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a given situation and may be harmful, dangerous or environmentally detrimental. Weeds of significance vary from region to region; some of the more serious weeds in Knox are Sweet Pittosporum, Blackberry, Cotoneaster, Angled Onion, Sweet Vernal-grass, Asparagus Fern, Large Quaking-grass, Greater Bindweed, Red Cestrum, Boneseed, Hawthorn, Montbretia, English Broom, Cape Ivy and Sallow Wattle.

• Contribute to regional and global biodiversity and working with regional partners; Knox is part of the Port Phillip and Westernport catchment region, which spans the catchments of Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. The water ways, soil, geology, plants, animals and atmosphere of Knox are directly connected to those of neighbouring municipalities and the larger region. Improving biodiversity outcomes in Knox will require consideration of this broader context and working in cooperation with other organisations at regional level toward shared goals.

• Create a greener city with more trees and indigenous vegetation in public spaces, and thriving iconic species: healthy ecosystems with flourishing biodiversity are typically more enjoyable environments for people. Most people find plants and wildlife aesthetically pleasing, and relax when in nature. There is research to suggest a strong correlation between community wellbeing, open space and proximity to nature. There are of course exceptions to this rule, but the improvement in the overall look, feel and liveability of Knox that would result from improved biodiversity conservation is an important social outcome.

3 Native Vegetation Net Gain Accounting: First Approximation Report, provides a ‘first approximation’ account of progress with the Government’s Net Gain objective for native vegetation across Victoria. To access this report go to: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrence.nsf/LinkView/C9784DF5A0EEA928CA2574240018C12DB32D42FB223C7345CA25712B0007130A


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Measuring performance

Indicators Indicators that will be used to measure improvements in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems are:

1. Habitat hectares (area, number of)

2. Ratio of sites linked to unlinked (Connectivity)

3. Number of threatened, endangered or extinct species

4. Number of threatened, endangered or extinct EVCs

5. Tree cover (ratio)

6. Community participation in biodiversity education programs

7. Activity with regional partners

For each of these indicators, positive outcomes will be reflected in measurable trends. Council will see increases in habitat hectares and the degree of connectivity between sites, improvements in habitat health and the health of iconic species, an increase in tree coverage in the area and an increase in the number of indigenous species represented in Knox.

Conversely, there will be a decrease in the number of threatened or endangered species (through an improvement in population health rather than from loss of these species) and a decrease in the number of species and EVCs lost from the area through extinction.

Other outcomes Actions to improve biodiversity will also achieve gains toward Vision 2025 and other Council strategies. Outcomes will be achieved in the following areas:

Vision 2025

• Sustainable natural environment

• Balance quality urban development

By protecting the landscape character, green leafy image and open spaces Knox is know for.

• Culturally rich & active communities

Through active participation in friends groups and provision of open space shared and used by all.

• Healthy, connected communities

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to support biodiversity:

• Plant Indigenous species in your garden

• Join a friends group to care for bushlands and waterways

• Join Gardens for Wildlife

• Learn about native flora and fauna, and what they need to support them

• Tell your friends and neighbours about what they can do to support local biodiversity


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Through a connection with nature the physical and mental health is improved and through social engagement in open space individuals with common interests can interact.

Other Strategies Outcomes will also be achieved in relation to the following strategies and plans:

• Greenhouse Action Plan

• Open Space Strategy

• Municipal Strategic Statement

• Foothills Policy

• Sites of Biological Significance

• Street Tree Policy

• Neighbourhood Character Study

• Urban Design Framework

• Net Gain Policy

• Native Vegetation Framework

• Draft Native Vegetation Genetic Integrity Policy

Programs, Plans and Policies

Programs Council has a number of programs to help protect and restore biodiversity in Knox and address the management problems outlined above. These are informed by a philosophy that ‘every bit helps’ and that an informed and involved community has a major contribution to make to the preservation of biodiversity. Key programs that contribute to biodiversity conservation include:

Sites of Biological Significance Knox City Council has conducted a Sites of Biological Significance & Significant Vegetation study. The study assessed significance of flora, fauna, vegetation communities and habitat types. Additionally, non-indigenous vegetation was assessed and listed on the Significant Tree Register if significant.

The project aimed to include public and private land tenure and define the level of biological significance according to national, state, regional, municipal and local scales. Historical, cultural, size, age and landscape values were included. The project identified significant sites and provides strategic direction to protect them in an appropriate form to support any recommended Planning Scheme amendments. Decision Guidelines for planning applications were also developed. Major threats have been identified in this study.

Bushland Monitoring program Periodic monitoring of vegetation in bushland reserves is a useful tool for guiding maintenance and improvement of the reserves’ ecological condition. It is also useful for detecting broad-scale changes in vegetation that have implications for other areas of bushland that are not monitored.

Council monitors 7 bushland reserves approximately every 5 years.


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Gardens for Wildlife This program is designed to encourage the owner or occupier of an average or small size suburban block, to set aside an area in the garden for locally threatened wildlife. This is done by providing habitat planted with locally indigenous plants, other Australian plants and suitable exotic species. The program will provide buffer zones around significant sites whilst also creating corridors for wildlife through Knox.

Urban Forest Planting Program Council plants more than 10,000 local native plants each year with the assistance of primary school children. The program aims to revegetate open space within the municipality, with a focus on linear corridors associated with waterways. By using indigenous plants of correct provenance, Council is preserving the character of the area and helps to improve the habitat values of our natural environment.

Platypus Surveys The platypus population in Knox is small but very significant. Their growing presence in our waterways is a strong indication of the improving health of the environment where they live. The recent information about their population increase and in particular the number of female platypus found demonstrates that water quality levels are also improving.

Recent studies by the Australian Platypus Conservancy have now identified a total of nine individual platypus in Dobson and Upper Dandenong Creeks.

Wildlife Atlas The Knox Wildlife Atlas is designed to record the native animals that live and move through the municipality.

All interested community members are encouraged to submit their sightings of native animals for entry into the data base. Less common species are of particular interest. The information is important to help inform Council when making decisions that may affect wildlife in the municipality.

Plans and Policies Plans and policies set the framework for a broad range of Council decisions that relate to biodiversity, both in terms of on-ground management of areas of high biodiversity value, but also in the context of planning decisions and a broad range of other Council activities that have a bearing on biodiversity conservation. Indirect impacts may originate from a broad range of areas including development decision making, open space planning, water and waste management. The key plans and policies of direct relevance to biodiversity in Knox City Council are:

• Sites of Biological Significance

• Bushland Management Plans

• Bushland Monitoring Program

• Open Space Plan

• Native Vegetation Framework (State Government)

• Waterway Activity Management Plans

• Various Master Plans


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Actions that have been undertaken The following actions have been undertaken in accordance with the Knox City Sustainable City Strategy 2001/2010:

• A Net Gain Policy was adopted by Council.

• Removal of priority environmental weeds has been included in Councils local law and will be reviewed periodically.

• A landscape assessment team with an arborist has been established

• A Sites of Biological Significance Study has been completed

• Development of the Gardens for Wildlife Program

• Management Plans for all Council sites of biological significance are being developed progressively

• The Knox Wildlife Atlas Database has been developed. The data sheet has been redesigned to make it more user friendly

• A regional biodiversity working group has been established, meeting on an as needs basis for specific projects, funding applications etc.

• Additional bushland officers have been employed.

• Staff and contractors have been provided with training courses covering sites of biological significance, net gain, weeds, fauna management and native tree identification

• EnviroCare lectures have been delivered to community members

• Friends Groups have been supported through the development of the Friends Group Kit, quarterly publication of the Friends Group newsletter Peregrine Post and coordination of regular friends’ group activities.

• Land acquisition by Council to protect biodiversity

• Provision of additional and ongoing funding for bushland management

WATER (CONSERVATION AND QUALITY)

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2. WATER (CONSERVATION AND QUALITY)

Goal: To create healthy and productive water systems The goal for water is healthy and productive water systems. In this sense, the term ‘water systems’ is used broadly to refer to our natural waterways including creeks, streams and aquifers, and to the man-made water systems we use to deliver and ultimately use water.

In this context, reaching the goal of healthy and productive water systems will produce:

• Waterways that are clean with healthy, thriving ecosystems; and

• Human water systems (pipes and appliances) that are effective, efficient and well designed to meet our needs and the needs of the natural environment

The approaches to water management that will contribute to the achievement of healthy and productive water systems are outlined below – it is around these that actions and strategies to improve water systems will be developed and measured.

Approach 2.2 Increase water quality (including reducing levels of pollution) and the associated environmental values in local waterways

Indicators 2.c, 2.f

Approach 2.3 Utilise alternative sources of water

Indicators 2.e

Approach 2.4 Gain widespread community involvement in water conservation and rainwater harvesting

Indicators 2.a, 2.d, 2.e

Approach 2.1 Reduce the consumption of potable water in Council Operations

Indicators 2.b

Indicators 2.a Potable water consumption in the Knox

municipality

2.b Potable water consumption by Council

2.c Indicators of River Condition (IRC)

2.d Number and capacity of water tanks in Knox

2.e Availability of alternative water sources

2.f Volume of litter in waterways

Vision 2025 Achieving outcomes for water will contribute to the following outcomes from Vision 2025:



▪ Balanced quality urban development

▪ A prosperous modern economy



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Water in Knox Water is a resource vital to survival. It has to be pure enough to drink, plentiful enough to irrigate crops and supply industry and clean enough to support plants, animals and recreational activities.

The annual rainfall pattern across the municipality varies from under 800mm in the west where there are low, arid ridges, to over 1200mm in the east where the land rises sharply into the Dandenong Ranges.

This is comparatively high when compared with other municipalities across Melbourne

Significant waterways and water bodies in Knox:

• Dandenong Creek

• Monbulk Creek

• Ferny Creek

• Corhanwarrabul Creek

• Blind Creek

• Dobson Creek

Water consumption in the city The average annual water usage per person in Knox City is 730 000 litres. This is below the State average of 750 000 litres but above the National average of 722.500 litres.

Household water use Typical household water use in Melbourne prior to the current water restrictions is:

Garden

Toilet

Bathroom

Kitchen

Laundry

Using recycled water or tank water in the garden (35%) and toilet (19%) could reduce the household demand for potable water by over 50%.

Waterways quality Melbourne Water in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have developed an index of river condition (IRC) that is used to rate the quality of waterways in Victoria. The indicator rates waterways taking into account river hydrology, physical form, riparian conditions, water quality and aquatic life. Melbourne Water’s website has rankings for the following waterways:

• Corhanwarrabul Creek has an IRC score of 30 and is considered to be in moderate condition

• Monbulk Creek has an IRC score of 24 and is considered to be in moderate condition

• Ferny Creek has an IRC score of 25 and is considered to be in poor condition


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Management Challenges There are a number of challenges in managing the water resources of Knox including current consumption patterns, water contamination, drought, climate change and population growth. Council and community must work together to manage these if Knox is to move toward a sustainable footing in the next ten years. Council is presented with the following challenges:

• Pollution of creeks and waterways is a significant issue for Knox. The major pollution problems facing our waterways are largely as a consequence of urban stormwater runoff, affecting both quality and quantity. Much of the urban stormwater discharging into Knox’s waterways contains silt and pollutants from roads and from activities such as car washing and the illegal dumping of chemicals and detergents into drains. These pollutants have an adverse impact on water quality and the habitat value of Knox’s streams and waterways.

• Managing the demand for water: Population growth, climate change and drought have all had a significant impact on the per capita amount of water available to the city. Council must find ways to work with the community to manage demand to ensure that enough water is available for all.

• Maintaining sporting grounds: Sporting grounds provide significant community benefit through their contribution to community interaction and physical health. Irrigation is required to maintain sporting grounds to a standard that is safe for players. Current water restrictions make it very difficult to maintain these facilities to the standard that is expected by the community. Irrigation of playing fields, parks and open space accounts for 75% of the total water consumed by Council. Reductions may be achieved by improving irrigation efficiency, turf species selection, demand assessment and the use of wetting agents. Equally important will be the use of water other than potable water – the use of recycled water and stormwater and the use of synthetic or alternative playing / training surfaces

• Increasing water efficiency: Addressing the current shortage of water and the increasing demand for water associated with an increasing population presents a significant challenge. Council can, in part, assist to make more water available for essential purposes by working with the community to find ways to reduce inefficiency and waste of water. Council’s sustainable water use plan estimates that Council’s use of water in existing buildings could be cut by at least 10% to 15%. Significantly greater gains can be made by Council working with the community.

• Home Gardens: The impact of water restrictions on home gardens and vegetable patches has been significant, with families watching their treasured gardens die and this recreational pursuit diminish. The social implications to individuals are also significant.

• Use of alternative sources of water: Potable water is used in many situations where alternative sources of water would serve equally well. The Knox region receives, on average, about 900mm of rain annually. This is much higher than other parts of Melbourne (e.g Laverton 550 mm, Moorabbin 740mm) and presents real opportunities for Council to harvest rainwater for purposes such as toilet flushing, vehicle washing, street sweeping and landscape watering. Emerging water treatment techniques present further possibilities for gaining water from sources such as greywater, swimming pool backwash water and sewer mining.

• Managing water quantity: Because of the impervious surfaces that we install in cities, stormwater not only carries greater quantities of pollutants, but also, greater amounts of water can arrive in waterways in a very short period of time. Council not only has to address quality, but also water quantity to protect the quality of receiving waterways.


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In an undeveloped state, natural bushland or even pastureland yields less than 30% runoff in average rainfall events. Urbanised areas, with their roads, footpaths, roofs and other paved areas create substantially greater runoff, usually between 60 and 70% for a suburb such as Knox, and up to 90% or more for higher density and commercial industrial development. This radical increase in runoff causes substantial detrimental environmental impacts, as well as the potential for property and asset damage through flood impacts. The increase in runoff created by urbanisation causes:

o more frequent disturbance of the stream bed (benthic) habitat;

o changes in the stream bed characteristics by changes in particle size, affecting the range of organisms that can survive in that environment;

o increased erosion of the stream bed and its banks;

o increased transportation of sediment (due to higher volumes and velocities), further concentrating sediment bound pollutants in the final receiving waters of the Bay;

o changes to the riparian habitat, with loss of some species that cannot withstand frequent inundation, mechanical abrasion and water forces of flooding events. This often translates into weed invasions of the riparian zone.

Managing Water There are a number of organisations that have a role in managing water in Knox. These include Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, the Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority, friends groups and private property owners. Council has a role in working with these groups to explore ways to improve the quality of water/waterways and to better manage how we use water.

Equally, or perhaps more important are community members, whose activities have an impact on overall water consumption in the city, and the quality of waterways. Community members make decisions every day that have an impact on water. With support from Council, community members will be able to make informed decisions about water use that, collectively, will yield significant reductions in water use and improvements in waterways quality.

Community views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. In their views on how water would be managed sustainably, community members said that they would expect:

• Water conservation will be widely practiced. People will live and work in buildings that are designed to be water efficient, they will use water efficient appliances, and they will grow drought tolerant indigenous plants in their gardens

• Rainwater tanks will be standard in all buildings. Rainwater will be used for laundry and toilets and for garden watering by all. Rainwater will also be captured by Council to be used for irrigation of sports fields and public gardens

• Third Pipe systems will be used to deliver recycled water to all new developments, with recycled water being used for laundry, toilets, garden watering and other uses that do not require potable water


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• Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) will be mandatory for all new developments. WSUD will reduce pollution entering waterways, provide water to the water table and reduce flooding during heavy rains

• Waterways (creeks and streams) will be healthy ecosystems that are clear of pollution and weeds, and which support indigenous freshwater species. Platypus numbers in Knox will increase, reflecting increases in the quality of waterways

• Waterways will be the foundation of linear parks that support biodiversity in the city

• The community will be well educated about water. They will understand water as a resource, with knowledge about where their water comes from, how waste water is managed, and what they can each do to improve water management across the community

Outcomes for Water GOAL: To create healthy and productive water systems The goal for water is healthy and productive water systems. In this sense, the term ‘water systems’ is used broadly to refer to our natural waterways including creeks, streams and aquifers, and to the man-made water systems we use to deliver and ultimately use water.

In this context, reaching the goal of healthy and productive water systems will produce:

• Waterways that are clean with healthy, thriving ecosystems; and

• Human water systems (pipes and appliances) that are effective, efficient and well designed to meet our needs

The approaches that will contribute to the achievement of the goal of healthy and productive water systems are outlined below – it is around these that actions and strategies to improve water systems will be developed and measured.

• Reduce the consumption of potable water in Council operations: A significant factor affecting water availability is excessive water consumption – using more water than is really required for the intended purpose. Prior to seeking alternative sources of water, opportunities for reducing the demand for water will be explored. Council’s sustainable water use plan estimates that Council’s use of water in existing buildings could be cut by at least 10% to 15%. Significantly greater gains can be made by Council working to not only reduce water but also to replace potable water with water from other sources.

• Increase water quality (including reducing the levels of pollution) and the associated environmental values in local waterways: The major pollution problems facing our waterways are largely as a consequence of urban stormwater runoff, affecting both quality and quantity. Much of the urban stormwater discharging into Knox’s waterways contains silt and pollutants from roads and from activities such as car washing and the illegal dumping of chemicals and detergents into drains. These pollutants have an adverse impact on water quality and the habitat value of Knox’s streams and waterways.

Some small areas in Knox are still using septic tanks and discharging untreated grey water from showers, baths, basins, washing machines, laundry troughs and kitchens, directly to stormwater and subsequently to waterways. Melbourne Water in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have developed an index of river condition (IRC) that is used to rate the quality of waterways in Victoria. The indicator rates waterways taking into account river hydrology, physical form, riparian conditions, water quality and aquatic


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life. Waterways in the city of Knox have been assessed as being in a poor to moderate condition. The platypus population in Knox is small but very significant. Their growing presence in our waterways is a strong indication of the improving health of the environment where they live. The recent information about their population increase and in particular the number of female platypuses found, we can be assured that water quality levels are also improving.

• Utilise alternative sources of water: Potable water is used in many situations where alternative sources of water would serve equally well. The Knox region receives on average about 900mm of rain annually. This is much higher than other parts of Melbourne (e.g Laverton 550 mm, Moorabbin 740mm) and presents real opportunities for Council to harvest rainwater for purposes such as toilet flushing, vehicle washing, street sweeping and landscape watering. Emerging water treatment techniques present further possibilities for gaining water from sources such as greywater, swimming pool backwash water and sewer mining. Water can be recycled on a small local scale, with the reuse of greywater for gardens, but it can also be done on a far larger scale. For example, at Rouse Hill in Sydney’s north-west, waste water is treated and then redistributed to homes for use in flushing toilets, washing cars and other outdoor uses. Currently 1.9 billion litres of recycled water is used by over 17,000 homes. Eventually the scheme will serve 35,000 homes. The recycled water is delivered by a separate water pipe, often referred to as a third pipe. Water from this pipe is separately metered, and all taps that deliver recycled water are purple, and labelled to show that the water is not suitable for drinking.

• Gain widespread community involvement in water conservation and rainwater harvesting: Community members currently have a very high awareness of water issues, especially as they relate to the supply of potable water. As a result of the significant water restrictions that were introduced for Melbourne in 2007, community members have already taken steps to use water more efficiently and to use alternative water sources. Gardens around Knox are still healthy because of the way in which residents have responded to the water shortage by installing water tanks, and using grey water to maintain their gardens. In addition to this, some businesses have also taken steps to address water efficiency, achieving results that are quite outstanding. Glaxo Smith Kline has reduced their water consumption by 6,400 kilo-litres per year at their Boronia site, which has also yielded a saving of $9,500 per year. Many community members, however, are still unaware of steps they can take to reduce their water consumption. There are still significant water savings that can be attained through better community education about water conservation. Further, Melbourne relies heavily on centralised and linear water collection systems: Water is collected at reservoirs and then piped to water users. An unfortunate outcome of this approach is that much of the water that falls on Melbourne is not captured because it doesn’t fall in the water catchment. The use of distributed water catchment (using many rainwater tanks across the city rather than a small number of reservoirs) will supplement the effectiveness of our ability to capture water for use by residents and business. Actively encouraging businesses and residents to harvest rainwater will significantly increase the overall effectiveness of rainwater catchment for Knox.


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Indicators Indicators that will be used to measure improvements in the health and productivity of water systems are:

1. Potable water consumption in the Knox municipality

2. Potable water consumption by Council

3. Indicators of River Condition (IRC)

4. Number and capacity of rainwater tanks in Knox

5. Number of alternative water sources available

6. Volume of litter in waterways

For each of these indicators, positive outcomes will be reflected in measurable trends. Council will see an increase in river condition, rainwater harvesting and the use of alternative sources of water. It is also expected that there will be a per capita decrease in the consumption of potable water


Vision 2025

• Culturally rich and active communities

By ensuring that Council can continue to provide diverse recreational facilities and open spaces share by all.


• Balanced quality urban development

By incorporating WSUD into landscape and design standards and protecting and enhancing the garden ambience

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to help manage water:

• Install water efficient appliances (taps, shower heads, washing machines etc)

• Install a water tank

• Use grey water to water your garden

• Turn the tap off while cleaning your teeth

• Take shorter showers

• Don’t drop litter, and put nothing but water into stormwater drains

• Tell your friends and neighbours about what they can do to protect water and waterways


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• A prosperous modern economy

By leading edge businesses embracing water quality and demand into their business activities

• Healthy connected communities

By ensuring that open spaces and recreation opportunities are available for all to access.


▪ Storm Water Quality Management Plan

▪ Sustainable Water Use Plan

▪ Sustainable Sports Ground Plan

▪ Drainage Strategy

▪ Regional River Health Strategy

▪ Waterway Activity Plan

▪ Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

▪ Domestic Wastewater Management Plan


Programs Council has number of programs to help conserve and improve the quality of water in Knox. These are informed by a philosophy that an informed and well resourced community has an important contribution to make. The major programs Council is currently implementing to better manage the area’s precious water resources are below.

Current Programs (Demand Management)

Sustainable Water Use Plan The Sustainable Water Use Plan adopted by Council in 2006, identified that water used by Sporting fields and open space accounts for over 75% of Council’s overall consumption. The Sustainable Water Use Plan set a target of 25% reduction in water use by 2015 across all facilities. Due to recent water restrictions and the associated impacts on the use of sporting facilities and the flow-on social impacts on communities, one of the highest priority issues for Council will be to ensure that each of its sporting facilities progressively improve their use of water in a sustainable manner

Domestic Wastewater Management Plan Knox City Council has a number of unsewered areas containing approximately 300 septic tank systems. Of these systems it is estimated that over 70% of installations are older than 20 years. Efficient and effective management of domestic waste water is vital to minimise the potential risks posed by domestic effluent upon public health, the physical environment and local receiving environments. Under the provisions of the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) (SEPP) local councils need to develop a DWMP in conjunction with water authorities and the community. The intent of the Knox Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is to manage these existing septic tank systems and future systems.


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Rainwater Tanks Council has installed 34 rainwater tanks across a range of facilities including all Child Care Centres, a number of Preschools and the Rowville Community Centre. The total capacity of the installed tanks is 1.5 mega litres. Tanks have been installed to provide for toilet flushing at Rowville Community Centre, Knox Civic Centre, and Netball and Basketball Centres while the tanks at the Preschools and Child Care Centres allow water play activities without wasting precious drinking water and, where possible, are also connected to toilets for flushing.

Flow Control Valves and Dual Flush Cisterns Council has installed flow control valves in taps and dual flush cisterns in all toilets at Child Care Centres and is progressively retrofitting these devices in other facilities including public toilets. The flow control valves reduce the flow to 9 litres per minute from taps. Tap aerators to further reduce water flow to 3 litres per minute are also being installed across all Council facilities. Push button taps have also been installed in public toilets.

Waterless and Low Flush Urinals Council has installed 'low flush’ urinals in over 20 public toilets around Knox. The urinals use bacteria to breakdown odours in the urine and are flushed automatically every 4 to 6 hours. This helps achieve over 90% water saving compared to traditional urinals. The system can be retrofitted to almost any urinal without the need for major plumbing works. Nine waterless wall-hung urinals have been installed at the Civic Centre which saves over 98% of the water that would have otherwise been used. The only water being used in the waterless urinals is for their cleaning each night.

Efficient Irrigation of Sports Grounds Council has installed Micromet, an automated irrigation control system, at all sports ovals. These units take into account the soil texture and root depth as well as rainfall and soil moisture to irrigate ovals only when needed. This system of irrigation replaced the previous practice of regular watering regardless of soil moisture & weather conditions. The installation of Micromet along with changes to irrigation methods, including two 15-minute sessions of sprinkler operation rather than one 30-minute operation to allow for better water penetration into the ground and switching from fan driven sprinkler heads to gear driven sprinkler heads is delivering water savings of over 40% at these grounds. These systems are being used within water restrictions.

Showerhead Exchange Program Knox City Council, in partnership with South East Water, assisted in distributing over 6,500 water efficient showerheads to local residents between March 2007 and March 2008. This is expected to result in a saving of approximately 130 megalitres (million litres) of water per annum. Reduced water use also results in a reduction in hot water usage. The distribution of these showerheads has also results in a saving of approximately 3,200 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Current Programs (Water Quality)

Stormwater Quality Management Plan All stormwater in the City of Knox runs untreated to Dandenong Creek and on to Port Phillip Bay. The Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) has been developed to improve the environmental management of stormwater within the municipality by maintaining and improving water quality in creeks and waterways in Knox and downstream to Port Phillip Bay.

The SWQMP includes outcomes that are targeted to assist Council in improving its management activities and respond to priority threats that impact on environmental and amenity values. The SWQMP identifies specific Stormwater Risk Management Strategies, improvements to Council’s management framework and a monitoring and review program.


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Knox Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines Water Sensitive Urban Design is as its name implies: designing the urban environment in a way that is sensitive to the impacts of the built environment on water flows and water quality.

Council endorsed the Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines (WSUD) for the City of Knox, in 2002. The drive for WSUD is a proactive move for environmental sustainability and an integrated approach to urban water management including stormwater, waste water and water supply. The Guidelines recognise that a substantial proportion of fresh water is used for non-potable uses in Australian cities and subsequently, opportunities exist to reduce the demand on water supplies. Generally, stormwater harvesting is identified as a valuable means to reduce demand and therefore conserve potable water. Council is continuing to further develop its capacity to identify opportunities for and implement Water Sensitive Urban Design in its capital works, renewal and upgrade projects.

Connecting the Pieces WSUD is best incorporated in the initial development of land, in that it is an approach that achieves its best outcomes by being incorporated at the earliest stages of the land design and development process. Therefore, given that the majority of the City of Knox is already developed to some level, the primary areas of opportunity for inclusion of WSUD will come as part of redevelopment and “retro-fitting” existing urban areas. The opportunities are not as limited as they might at first seem however.

Community Water Watch Melbourne Waterwatch is an education program that assists schools and community groups to use water monitoring equipment and standard procedures to assess the water quality of their local waterways. The goal of Melbourne Waterwatch is to foster community awareness, understanding and ownership of water quality issues in Port Phillip Catchment through direct involvement with water quality monitoring. There is an opportunity to extend the learning from this program into the community through the provision of the results and trend data.

Plans and Policies The following plans and policies set the framework for a broad range of Council decisions that relate to water conservation and quality.

Knox Central Urban Design Framework One of the key environmental objectives of this framework is to maximise water conservation. Strategies to be considered for water conservation include:

• Demand Management: reduce the inherent demand for water through the general use of AAA or better water efficient fixtures/fittings and selection of equipment/ appliances.

• Rainwater/ Stormwater Harvesting: on-site collection of rainwater for re-use within the development.

• Grey Water Recycling: collection and treatment of grey water for re-use.

• Waste Water Re-use: on-site collection and treatment of wastewater or process water for re-use.

• Landscaping: use permeable surfaces, maximise use of drought resistant plants and integration of stormwater run-off wetland features.

Other strategies and plans Engineering Standard Details


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Sustainable Water Use Plan

Stormwater Quality Management Plan

Drainage Strategy

Waterway Management Activity Plans

Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Sustainable Sports Action Plan

Domestic Wastewater Management Plan

Living links (PPWCMA)


• Introduction of Council rebates for Knox residents installing a rainwater tank ($150), connecting the tank for toilet flushing ($150) and replacing a single flush with dual flush toilets ($50) as part of a program in 2004/5

• Old Joes Creek Waste Wise Automotive Project involved 38 automotive businesses from the Bayswater Industrial Area in programs to reduce waste and improve environmental performance. A second program was undertaken with an additional 38 businesses in Knox and Maroondah. This program was funded by the Victoria Stormwater Action Program.

• Victorian Stormwater Action Plan funding secured for Rowville Community Centre

• A Stormwater Quality Management Plan has been developed, and is currently being implemented

• A Drainage Strategy has been developed to provide stormwater infrastructure to manage and reduce the impact of flooding, guided by principles of WSUD and incorporating actions from the Stormwater Quality Management Plan

• Guidelines have been established for the installation of water tanks in all new dwellings, extensions and existing dwellings

• As a part of the 5-star energy standard for new houses, water tanks or solar hot water systems are now mandatory as a requirement of RESCode

• Council has adopted a Sustainable Water Use Plan

• Water saving practices and initiatives have been introduced for Council and water conservation targets have been developed

• Over 40 ovals have been fitted with the micromet irrigation system to control irrigation

• Garden beds have not been irrigated since introduction of water restrictions in 2003

• More efficient use of water in toilets has been achieved through the installation of water tanks to flush toilets, push-button taps, tap aerators, dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and low flush urinals

• Suppliers of water wise plants and products are promoted through brochures and at the Stringybark Festival


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• Educational materials to inform the community of benefits and savings associated with reducing and recycling water have been made available

• A number of Waterwatch sites have been established along Dandenong Creek, Old Joe’s Creek and Blind Creek

• Training about the management of pollution events has been provided to Council staff, and emergency procedures for the management of pollution events are in place

• Sustainable Sports Action Plan currently being developed.

• 1.5 Mega litres of water storage availability in tanks associated with Council facilities

• Over 7,000 shower heads exchanged as part of a partnership with South East Water.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & LEADING BY EXAMPLE

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3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Goal: To lead an engaged and empowered community The goal for community engagement and leadership is for Council to lead an engaged and empowered community. Council will demonstrate its commitment to sustainability in all areas of Council operations. Clear information will be provided to the community about what Council is doing, and how this will lead to a more sustainable city. Council will also provide opportunities for community members to learn about sustainability, and support them in making changes that will lead to more sustainable lifestyles and sustainable businesses.

Approach 3.2 Provide opportunities for community members to participate in meaningful ways

Indicators 3.a, 3.b, 3.c

Approach 3.3 Provide effective resources to the community to facilitate behaviour change

Indicators 3.a, 3.c

Approach 3.1 Establish sustainability demonstration projects

Indicators 3.e

Indicators 3.a participation in Friends Groups / or

volunteer hours in environmental activity

3.b Percentage of Knox residents that identify feeling connected to nature

3.c Percentage of residents who believe they understand sustainability issues

3.d Understanding of new and emerging issues

3.e Number of sustainability demonstration projects

3.f Number of sustainability issues on which Council has advocated to other levels of government or relevant agencies

Vision 2025 Achieving outcomes for community engagement and leadership by Council will contribute to the following outcomes from Vision 2025:






Approach 3.4 Advocate to other levels of Government and relevant agencies for higher standards in order to move towards a sustainable city

Indicators 3.f

Approach 3.5 Understand the future by keeping abreast of new information, research and identifying emerging issues

Indicators 3.d


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The Knox community Knox is one of the most populous municipalities in Victoria with almost 150,000 residents. Currently the majority of this population is aged 0 – 49 years, however the demographics of the population is shifting towards a maturing population.

The overall population is anticipated to grow to 155,850 by 2015, followed by slowing annual increases to around 162,000 by 2031.

The population is culturally diverse, with 17% of residents from non-English speaking backgrounds. Languages other than English that are spoken in Knox include Cantonese, Mandarin and Italian.

Council is very aware of the need to engage actively with the community to achieve the goal of a sustainable city.

As representatives of the people of Knox, Council will need strong support and endorsement for making changes that are required to make Knox sustainable. This will be achieved through Council providing good accurate information about the factors that are driving the need to have a more sustainable city, and also about the benefits that will flow from a sustainable city.

Council already has a strong base to build from in this respect, as community members are very much in support of the outcomes of a sustainable city: They are very keen to see change in their city that will result in more open space with more trees, cleaner waterways, better and more integrated transport, and a sense of security in how energy and other resources will be managed. Community members are also acting very strongly in response to the current and very pressing issues of water supply and climate change.

However, the community survey that was conducted in the preparation of this strategy does show some confusion about terminology that will be used by Council, particularly in relation to environmental issues, and sustainability. Only 27% saw sustainability as protecting resources we have for future generations, and 85% saw the environment as their local neighbourhood rather than the broader Australian or global environment. Clearly there is a need for Council to work with the community to broaden their understanding of the extent of community impacts beyond the current moment and the boundaries of Knox if the community understanding of these terms is to be consistent with Council’s use of them. A good common understanding across the community and Council is essential to ensure that:

• Community understand what Council is working toward

• Community area able to work effectively with Council to achieve a common goal

In addition to the need to clarify terms, the survey also shows an imbalance in how the community is currently engaged. Respondents were only from some of the suburbs of Knox, were predominantly women, and very few of these were aware of Council’s current sustainable city strategy. Council will need to engage with the community more broadly, reaching people of all ages, nationalities, genders and locations. It is also important that the term community is used in its broadest sense to include all who live and work in Knox.

During consultation for the preparation of this strategy, community members were also very strong in their message that they need support and direction on what it is that they can do to make a difference. There is a great willingness among community members to contribute to the development of a more sustainable society, but many are challenged by not knowing what it is that they can do in their daily lives to make a difference. Community members are looking to Council for direction and for information.


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Early adopters, and followers With any process of change, there are leaders, early adopters and followers.

The leaders are those who see the big picture and early warning signs of the need to change. They create solutions and new ways of working that meet the arising challenges.

Early adopters are those who see what the leaders are doing, and act quickly to follow. The followers, however, are the difficult group to influence in the early stages of change. They tend to follow along with others once it is very clear that the change has become the standard or expected way of working, or after regulations and other policy processes have forced them to act. It is imperative for Council to identify and support those who are prepared to act as leaders, and also to assist the early adopters to understand what is happening, and what it is that they can do to be a part of the change.

Leadership and influence Council will have the greatest impact on the City of Knox by acting to influence the entire community. That is, by affecting the behaviour of the many people living and working in Knox whom Council cannot affect directly through the use of policy, regulation and enforcement.

Council’s first approach to influencing community behaviour will be through the provision of good leadership on sustainability. In this respect, Council will consider ways to build the principles of sustainability into all aspects of its operations to provide good clear leadership to the community about what it means to be sustainable. To ensure that the community understands what Council is doing that is sustainable, and why it is sustainable, Council will build community understanding through demonstration projects and through the provision of good interpretive information.

This approach will ensure that community members are aware of what Council is doing to be a leader in sustainability.

Council will seek to have further influence on community outcomes by actively engaging with community members through a wide range of programs. These will include support for friends groups, community education programs such as Greenleaf and Gardens for Wildlife, provision of good instructional information about how to be more sustainable, and assistance in accessing grants and rebates. The aim of these activities will be to assist community members to be clear about what they can each do to make changes in their own lives that will lead to a more sustainable city and sustainable society.

Management Challenges There are a number of challenges in managing effective engagement with the community of Knox. The community comprises more than 152,000 residents, businesses and their employees. Council will need to bring these people along on the journey toward sustainability as much rests on how individuals understand sustainability and how they choose to act. Over the life of this strategy it is Council’s goal to work actively with the community to achieve a sustainable city. Challenges in leading and engaging the community will be:

• Accessing the community: The community of Knox is diverse and challenging to access. It includes:

o people of all ages and abilities

o 152,000 residents. 16.7% of residents are from non-English speaking backgrounds. Languages other than English that are spoken in Knox include Cantonese, Mandarin and Italian

o A mix of property owners and tenants


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o Businesses of all sizes, from small owner-operated businesses to large industrial facilities

o A range of organisations including church groups, business and service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Apex etc), sporting clubs, friends and environmental groups

Given this diversity and the various time commitments of each person, there is no one way or preferred method for engaging the community. For Council to be effective in communicating and actively engaging with the community of Knox, this will be achieved through a combination of methods and approaches, each of which will be effective in reaching some of the community. Having a diverse community requires council to have an approach that is diverse and persistent. Meeting the challenge of working effectively with community will be guided by Council’s Community Engagement Framework and Policy. Ensuring that all community members are considered will be guided by Council’s Access and Inclusion Plan.

• Going beyond the usual suspects: Within the municipality there are a number of people who have demonstrated a great willingness to work with Council toward sustainability goals. They participate in activities such as friends groups, Council’s Environment Advisory Committee and Youth Advisory Group, community education and consultation. These people provide Council with a very important link into the community and continue to undertake very valuable work, but it is important that Council finds effective ways to also engage the many who do not currently participate or engage with Council.

• Addressing misunderstandings: There are many misunderstandings that create a barrier to effective community involvement in environmental programs. Examples of common misunderstandings are:

o Global warming will create a warmer world – the climate in Melbourne will become more like Sydney. It will be good for us

o Everything that goes down the drain is treated somewhere. (Many people do not know that everything that enters the stormwater system goes straight into waterways without treatment)

o Increasing biodiversity will mean having more animals and plants of all types, including introduced plants, cats, dogs and other non-indigenous species. (There is also often no clear differentiation between native (Australian) species and local indigenous species)

o Some indigenous species, such as possums, are pests that need to be controlled

Identifying these misunderstandings can be difficult, and often requires a high level of engagement with the community for them to come to light, however while they persist they present a barrier to community members changing behaviours that are having a negative impact on the environment.

• Managing community change: One of the greatest barriers to achieving change across the community is achieving individual behavioural change. There are many aspects of this strategy that will require individuals across the community to change their behaviour. Examples include individuals choosing to:

o Not drop litter or put pollutants into the stormwater system

o Reduce water consumption

o Change travel behaviour (walking or cycling more, using public transport or car sharing for example)


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o Energy demand reduction programs

To achieve these outcomes, Council will need to achieve broad community support for actions, and then to achieve changes at an individual level. Many of the programs to improve sustainability will produce financial returns for residents and businesses as well as achieving environmental outcomes. This will, in part, assist in gaining support from the community.

• Enforcement of regulations: Council has responsibility for enforcing local laws in the municipality. This includes responsibility for laws that relate to parking, building construction, commercial use of footpaths, unsightly properties, overhanging trees, school crossings and animals. Enforcing regulations presents difficulties because of the expense associated with the provision of inspectors and of prosecution for non-compliance. Enforcement will be effective in relation to some aspects of sustainability, such as ensuring that houses which are built comply with the agreed planning permit and do meet the required energy efficiency star ratings, however there are many aspects that are not covered by local laws, and which will require the commitment of individuals rather than enforcement. Further, evidence shows that enforcement is not an effective approach for bringing about behaviour change. This is easily shown by the number of people who receive multiple parking infringement notices.

• Providing effective leadership: It is important that Council be seen by the community as being a leader on sustainability. In its simplest form, this requires Council to address sustainability in all areas of its operations. More importantly, Council will need to ensure that the community understands what it is that Council is doing that is sustainable, and why this is sustainable.

Managing community engagement and leadership There are a number of organisations that have a role in providing leadership and managing community engagement on the path to sustainability. A program of successful community engagement and leadership requires that the community is treated in a respectful and responsive manner, provided with real opportunities to participate and provided with consistent and coherent information. To achieve this, it is important that Council finds ways to work collaboratively with key agencies and organisations that are working with community in the City of Knox. At least, this includes Parks Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, DSE, EPA, Melbourne Water and other water authorities, PPWCMA, electricity retailers, Australian Greenhouse Office, ICLEI and neighbouring local governments.

All community engagement will be directed by Council’s Community Engagement and Consultation Policy which has as its objectives to:

• enable the community to be better informed about Council issues, processes and decisions which might affect them;

• reduce misinformation and misconception;

• develop stronger communities;

• improve the relationship between Council and the Community;

• develop trust and credibility both internally and externally;

• help identify actual and potential problems/issues; and

• support well informed decision making; good governance and active civic participation.


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Community Views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for future citizens of Knox. In their views on how Council will engage with the community and lead by example, community members said that they would expect:

• Council will lead by example. Demonstration projects that are lead by Council will show community members how sustainability outcomes can be achieved.

• Council will actively engage with the community at all levels (children, adults, organisations, businesses etc) to effect outcomes for water, biodiversity, waste, transport, planning and climate change

• Council will set up a range of initiatives that will ensure community members are able to develop awareness of sustainability, and what each person can contribute to making Knox a sustainable city

• Council will actively promote sustainability successes, firstly to provide recognition for community members who are taking steps toward sustainability, and also to ensure that other community members are aware of what can realistically be done to achieve sustainability outcomes

• Council will help community members to fund the cost of making changes to improve sustainability, through rebates and by assisting community members to access government grants, rebates and other programs that can be drawn upon

• With assistance and guidance from Council, community members will be supported to participate in meaningful activities that contribute to the goal of a sustainable city

Outcomes for community engagement & leadership

Goal: Council to lead an engaged and empowered community This will be achieved through the following approaches:

• Establish sustainability demonstration projects: Council will lead by example, undertaking to achieve sustainability outcomes in all areas of Council operations. Projects that are established by Council, such as sustainable buildings, water sensitive urban design, resource efficiencies will be presented to the community as examples of sustainable practice. Interpretive information will be provided to ensure that community members are aware of and understand the principles that have been applied, and how they can achieve similar outcomes in their lives. Council will ensure that projects are established with local schools and kindergartens to assist with building sustainability and sustainable practices into education at an early stage.

• Provide opportunities for community members to participate in meaningful ways: Council will create opportunities for community members to become involved in working toward sustainability, both at home and in the community. This will be achieved through practical educational programs that lead to real sustainable outcomes both in public places and in private properties (business and residential). To ensure that these programs are successful in reaching the whole community, Council will develop programs for people of all ages, living and working across the municipality. Examples of current programs are Schools for Sustainability, GreenLeaf, gardens for wildlife, friends groups and Water Watch. Council will develop and implement a sustainability initiative for early childhood education (preschool and


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childcare) that ensures young community members are exposed to ideas about sustainability in their formative years.4 Activities will be designed so that they provide participants with the opportunity to learn about sustainability, to engage in practical action and to build networks within the community. Activities will be developed to address each of the themes addressed in this strategy.

• Provide effective resources to the community to facilitate behaviour changes: For community members to change attitudes and, more importantly, behaviours it is essential that they are provided with the right support at the right time. Resources that community members require to ensure that they have a sound understanding of sustainability issues and ways in which they can act to address these issues include:

o Accurate and relevant information. Community members require information about all aspects of sustainability which will enable them to act. Provided through brochures, internet, education programs and advice from Council staff, sound information will enable community members to take action on sustainability issues. This will include how-to guides and education to assist people to conserve water, recycle, compost, insulate their homes, and select suitable plants for their gardens. Suitably packaged and presented information will assist Council to overcome the barrier of people not knowing what it is that they can do

o Timely provision of information.

o Access to funding such as rebates and grants. While many changes such as installing water tanks, solar hot water and solar electricity will eventually pay for themselves in savings, the upfront cost of installation is often a barrier. Council will support community members by providing good information about grants, rebates and other subsidy programs (provided by Council and by other agencies) to assist people in accessing these programs. Council will also provide rebates and subsidies where this is possible.

o Demonstration projects that identify opportunities and practical outcomes that can be replicated by residents or businesses.

• Advocate to other levels of government and relevant agencies for higher standards in order to move toward a more sustainable city: As an effective leader, Council will advocate to other levels of government and relevant agencies to ensure that the goals for sustainability in Knox are understood and considered in all projects that will affect the city.

• Understand the future by keeping abreast of new information, research and identifying emerging issues: Responding effectively to environmental issues requires Council to not only have a sound understanding of environmental issues, but also a very good understanding of ways in which it can respond to the issues and to community concerns. Over time, it is expected that Council will need to stay abreast of:

o Climate change science, and predicted outcomes for Knox

o Ways to adapt to climate change to avoid harm to infrastructure, health and the local economy

o Carbon Trading

4 An example of the type of program Council is considering can be seen in Gosford Council’s Little Green Steps program: www.gosford.nsw.gov.au


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o Supply chain analysis

o Changes in building technology, transport technology and systems

o Alternative technologies associated with providing and using energy and water

o Sustainable management and planning practices

o Methods for effective community engagement and managing behaviour change

o New and emerging environmental issues


Indicators Indicators that will be used to measure community engagement and leadership are:

1. Participation in Friends Groups / or volunteer hours in environmental activities

2. Percentage of Knox residents that identify feeling connected to nature

3. Percentage of Knox residents who believe they understand sustainability issues

4. Understanding of new and emerging issues

5. Number of sustainability demonstration projects

6. Number of sustainability issues on which Council has advocated to other levels of government or relevant agencies

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to support community engagement and leadership by Council:

• Join a friends group

• Take part in Council community programs such as Gardens for Wildlife and Greenleaf

• Talk with Council staff to find out more about what you can do to have a more sustainable lifestyle

• Make your house and garden more sustainable

• Learn about sustainability and what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment


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Vision 2025

• Healthy connected communities

By ensuring people are able to connect with others through Friends Groups, educational activities and other community activity

• Culturally rich and active communities

By providing opportunities for ongoing education (lifelong learning), community events and open space where people can connect with others and with nature


• A prosperous modern economy

By supporting businesses to operate at the leading edge of sustainability


• Sustainability Accord

• Economic Development Strategy

• Community Engagement Framework and Policy

• Waste Wise and Buy Green Action Plan

• Community and Council Plan

• Access and Inclusion Plan

• Annual Budget

Programs, Plans and Policies Council has a number of programs, plans and policies in place to support community engagement. These have all been built on the approach of Council doing what it can to influence community members and to assist them to make changes in their lives.

Programs

Environment Advisory Committee The Environment Advisory Committee is a committee of Council which has met monthly since 1994. The Committee currently includes 3 Councillor representatives and 13 community representatives. The committee discusses strategic sustainability issues, environmental policy, and monitors the implementation of the Sustainable Environment Strategy.

The Greenleaf Project

The Greenleaf project seeks to establish an ongoing partnership through which individuals, businesses, schools and Council can work collectively to reduce their combined impacts upon the environment. The project seeks to engage the different segments of the community by providing simple, practical and affordable solutions to sustainability issues in a way that suits individuals.


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The residential stream of the Greenleaf project focuses on five key environmental areas:

• Energy

• Water

• Biodiversity and Sustainable Gardening

• Waste Minimisation and Green Purchasing

• Green Cleaning

Schools for Sustainability The Knox ‘Schools for Sustainability’ Program aims to assist in implementing and supporting environmentally sustainable programs and projects within schools. Council recognises the benefits of working with schools to inform and change behaviour within the community.

The Knox Schools for Sustainability Program includes:

• Themed networking sessions (Water, Energy, Waste and Biodiversity)

• Distribution of a quarterly newsletter

• Student Sustainability Ambassador Conference

• Links to local Community Groups, businesses etc.

• Email updates (including case studies, funding opportunities, new resources, activities and events)

• Promotion of external projects

• Recognition of school projects through Knox Pride, Resource Smart and other award programs (and on this website see 'Case Studies')

Council’s website includes a range of resources to support teachers in one location.

Waste Wise Events A Waste Wise certified event is a public event that has good recycling and waste reduction systems including:

• Avoiding waste and litter where possible.

• Promoting reusable instead of disposable packaging.

• Promoting sustainable waste management systems to event goers.

Waste Wise events are committed to continuously improving systems and ensuring that waste is minimised by promoting waste minimisation and recycling away from home.

Knox City Council has received Waste Wise certification for the Stringybark Festival. At the 2007 Stringybark Festival, 54 percent of waste produced was recycled.

Friends Groups Community commitment to local conservation has always been strong in the Knox area. However, the general community has become even more aware of environmental issues in recent years and this has prompted people to discover ways to become more actively involved in local bushland reserves. This can be done by joining forces with Knox City Council in local friends groups. Council organises various activity days throughout the year including events such as National Tree Day, Clean Up Australia Day and World Environment Day.


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Web-based information

Council provides an extensive range of information on their website to assist community members to undertake actions that will lead to a more sustainable city. Information is provided on the following topics:

• Conserving energy and water

• Reporting native wildlife

• Waste Minimisation and Recycling

• Green Purchasing

• Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitat

• Getting Involved in your local environment

• Knox Pride Environmental Awards

• Sustainable Environment Strategy

• Schools for Sustainability

• Greenleaf

• Gardens for Wildlife

• Environmental Calendar of Events

National Tree Day / Arbour Week National Tree Day is Australia's biggest community tree planting event and is held on the last Sunday in July of each year.

2007 saw an outstanding community involvement with close to 300 volunteers planting 6,300 locally indigenous tube stock over three reserve planting sites in Knox.

The 'Schools for Sustainability' Program supported students from Fairpark Primary School, Rowville Primary School and the Knox School in planting over 1,500 locally indigenous tube stock on Schools National Tree Day.

During Arbour Week 130 students from Fairhills, Scoresby, Boronia Heights and Wantirna Secondary Colleges planted 9500 plants and 16 volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia planted 2000 plants in bushland and linear reserves in Knox. Gardens for Wildlife

Gardens for Wildlife is a program designed to encourage community members, as the owner or occupier of an average or small size suburban block, to set aside a special area in their garden for locally threatened wildlife. This can be done by providing habitat planted with locally indigenous plants, other Australian plants or suitable exotic species.

Green Corps - Youth Development & Environmental Training Program Green Corps – Young Australians for the Environment – is an Australian Government youth development and environmental training program for young people aged between 17 and 20 years. Green Corps provides young people with the opportunity to volunteer their time and effort to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

The Green Corps Team will work actively with local community groups, the Knox Environment Society, local schools and Council’s Bushland Management Team, in numerous Significant Conservation Areas to improve the environmental value of those sites.


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Clean Up Australia Day Clean Up Australia Day began as an action initiated by Ian Kiernan, a Sydney resident and round-the -world yacht racer. It was while he participated in the BOC Challenge, sailing single-handed around the world, that he saw the amount of rubbish that was choking the world’s oceans. Ian decided it was time to act and organised Clean Up Sydney Harbour in 1989. What began as a local initiative has now become a national day of caring for the environment. Clean Up Australia Day provides an opportunity for local and surrounding residents to participate in clean up sites around the municipality. Knox City Council and local community groups co-ordinate various sites on the first Sunday in March each year. 2008 saw the first reduction in the amount of litter collected from sites in Knox.

Knox Pride Environmental Awards The Knox Pride Environmental Awards is an annual program conducted by Knox City Council. It provides acknowledgement and recognition for the contributions made by the community in the areas of environment, conservation, heritage and beautification.

This awards program provides an excellent opportunity to promote local community groups and organisations to Council and the Knox community. In addition, winning projects receive prize money and local media coverage and acknowledgement on Council’s web site.

Plans and Policies Plans and policies set the framework for a broad range of Council decisions that relate to sustainability, community engagement and partnerships with relevant local and regional bodies. The key plans and policies of direct relevance to leadership and community engagement for sustainability are:

• Vision 2025

• Sustainability Accord

• Economic Development Strategy

• Community Engagement Framework and Policy

• Waste Wise and Buy Green Action Plan

• Community and Council Plan

• Annual Budget


• Council has committed to the Sustainability Accord to confirm and strengthen alliances that will assist in the achievement of environmental objectives

• Sustainability and environmental indicators have been developed for performance monitoring and state of the environment reporting

• Triple Bottom Line reporting is used to ensure community members are informed about how Council is performing on sustainability issues

• Council continues to support Friends Groups and Water Watch, to provide community members with opportunities to participate in sustainability activities

• Council continues to conduce the Stringybark Festival to promote environmental awareness and involvement


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• An information session on funding opportunities for community environment groups has been run

• The 'Landscape for Lifestyle’ forum was held in February 2007. Robyn Mansfield, Landscape Architect, presented on how to create a cottage, formal, courtyard and ‘family friendly’ garden using native plants.

• Council continues to reward and recognise positive contributions to environmental, heritage and beautification projects through the Knox Pride Awards.

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4. WASTE MINIMISATION

Goal: To reduce waste and improve product lifecycles The goal for waste is to reduce waste and to improve product lifecycles. This is consistent with the objectives outlined in Our Environment Our Future, Victoria’s state-wide sustainability strategy. This outcome sets an ambitious goal for Knox but one that has been set to drive the city toward sustainability. Achievement of the goal will see an overall reduction in the amount of solid waste produced, a significant reduction of waste disposed to landfill, further improvements in lifecycle analysis, green purchasing and conservation behaviour.

Approach 4.2 Reduce waste at the source

Indicators 4.a

Approach 4.3 Contribute to supply-chain management of waste

Indicators 4.d

Approach 4.1 Provide effective recycling systems

Indicators 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.e

Indicators 4.a Amount of waste going to landfill

4.b Percentage of waste that is recycled

4.c Percentage of recycled materials going to landfill

4.d Number of supply chain agreements with suppliers that specify environmental outcomes or objectives

4.e Number of residents / businesses actively recycling

4.f Litter counts at litter hot spots







Approach 4.5 Understand the social, environmental and economic implications of all purchasing decisions considering the whole lifecycle of products and services

Indicators 4.a, 4.b, 4.d

Approach 4.6 Reduce and manage litter

Indicators 4.f

Approach 4.4 Encourage greater re-use of materials

Indicators 4.d

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Waste management hierarchy The waste management hierarchy is an idea that promotes waste avoidance ahead of recycling or disposal. The hierarchy is well represented by the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. In the waste hierarchy, each of these three options is considered to be preferable to creating waste that goes to landfill or other means of disposal.

Reduce: This refers to making decisions that reduce waste, and can happen at many stages of the consumption process. A manufacturer can reduce waste in the manufacturing process by using cleaner production methods, and by choosing to use less packaging when preparing their product for sale. A consumer can reduce waste by purchasing less, or only what they need, by choosing a product with less packaging, and by choosing the best product for their needs (i.e. without extra components or add-ons that they do not need).

Reuse: Manufacture and purchase products that can be used more than once (i.e. fewer disposable products), and that are made to have a longer life. In our disposable or throw-away society, we rely on many goods that are designed to be used only once and then thrown away. Avoidance of these will reduce the overall amount of waste we produce. Re-use is preferable to the use of disposable products that are recyclable, as better use is made of the energy and resources that go into manufacturing and distributing the product, and recapturing the recyclable resources.

Recycle: For all goods and resources, give preference to the use of materials that can be recycled once the product has reached the end of its serviceable life. While recycling is the preferred outcome of the waste management process – that is, that materials are recycled at the end of a product’s usefulness – it is really the third of a series of decisions that have resulted in:

• Products that are essential and that have been manufactured and supplied with the minimum amount of waste

• Products that will serve for a good amount of time to yield the best value from the resources that have been used

Once a product or service has been selected as essential and reusable, consideration is then given to its recyclability.

This approach is embedded in the Victorian Environment Protection Act which specifically states that wastes should be managed by: avoidance, re-use, recycling, recovery of energy, treatment, containment and then finally, disposal.

Solid Waste in Knox

Every day, thousands of tonnes of solid waste are discarded by homes, businesses and government. The production of waste is an inevitable side effect of human population, and as communities grow in size and affluence, the amount of waste they produce also increases.

Natural systems can absorb some waste produced by humans - there is an entire class of organisms called decomposers (including ants, worms, and insects) that are designed specifically for this purpose. Plants and soil also provide natural bio-filtration that helps filter out impurities in the water cycle. However, much of the waste produced by human societies does not easily decompose and the amount of waste we produce has gone well beyond the capacity of natural systems to absorb it.

By managing the waste-chain closely, the amount of solid waste can be reduced and sustainable waste disposal methods can be employed. It is important to remember that poor waste management has many undesirable impacts including; causing harm to native flora, wildlife

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and fisheries, leaching by-products into the soil, and emitting greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.

On a global scale, Victoria has an advanced waste management system. The state currently has sufficient land supply to meet its waste disposal needs, good systems for recycling and clear governance responsibilities for waste management. Local governments play a major role in waste management including kerbside recycling, green waste collection, waste education, litter abatement and management plus the management of transfer stations and landfills. The following facilities support effective waste management in Knox:

• ANL Coldstream composting facilities, Maroondah Highway

• Hallam Road, Hampton Park landfill managed by SITA Services

• Visy Recycling site, Princes Road, Springvale

• Knox Transfer Station, George Street, Wantirna South

Local government is supported by Regional Waste Management Groups (RWMGS), who work at a regional level to coordinate waste management systems. Victoria also has a state-strategy Towards Zero Waste that provides a policy framework for all levels of government to work together to improve waste outcomes.

In 1998, Knox City Council developed a Waste Management Strategy which identified waste reduction targets.

Percentage recycled Data from Council’s Waste Management shows that between July 2007 and May 2008, an average of 49.6% of all kerbside waste collected (by volume – tonnes) was recycled.

Kerbside Waste Recycled (%)

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%

July

Septem

ber

Novembe

r

Janu

aryMarc

hMay

TOTALKerbsideWasteRecycled (%)

Sustainable lifecycles As noted above, the production of waste is a natural phenomenon and occurs in all human and biological systems. While human societies have always produced waste as a by-product of daily life and industry, the scale and extent of waste production in society has now reached unprecedented levels. Some commentators talk of a ‘throw away society’ where goods can be cheaply accessed, and consumers are encouraged to ‘upgrade’ or ‘upsize’ rather than conserve and purchase carefully in the first instance. Built-in obsolescence is a feature of most new technology, which consumers have now come to expect.

There is growing recognition that consumption choices have a significant bearing on sustainability, and a growing interest in ‘ethical purchasing’. Consumers are seeking to better understand the environmental impact of the products they buy and are also interested in the ethical dimension, such as human and animal rights. In terms of environmental sustainability,

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one of the main ideas to emerge in recent times is ‘lifecycle analysis’. This involves the analysis of a product’s environmental impact over its entire lifecycle, including extraction, production, distribution and decommissioning. By measuring the lifecycle impact of a product it is possible to understand its overall environmental impact, including any impacts associated with its disposal.

Some companies carry out lifecycle assessments for particular products and provide this information to consumers to enable them to make more sustainable purchasing choices. Leadership in this area is coming from the automotive and home appliance industries. In addition to providing this information, some companies are actively managing their production cycles to use less resources and product less waste. Whole of product life stewardship is also emerging as an important idea, where companies take responsibility for disposing products at the end of their lifecycle. This has been a particularly important initiative in the area of electronic or e-waste, which is difficult and expensive to dispose of. In Germany, and other European Union countries, manufacturers are required by law to take responsibility for decommissioning their goods.

Consumers also have another choice, and that is to become ‘conservers’. A conserver is a person who actively seeks to be frugal in their daily life, making a decision to consume less overall, thereby reducing their environmental footprint, and production of waste. Despite the hardship still faced by some in our community, overall, as a society we are more affluent, and consume more than ever before. At certain points in Australia’s history people have had to actively conserve, such as during and after WWII. While society today is very different to what it was sixty years ago, people still have the capacity to save – recent community response to water conservation measures is a great example of this!

Knox City Council Spending Knox has a proactive approach to waste management, in that it aims to purchase products with the least environmental impact possible, within budgetary limits. Council staff are also encourage to make decisions, such as the purchase of vehicles, with regard to whole of lifecycle cost analysis.

In 2005/2006 a total of $1,793,044.84 was spent on green products, an increase of 47% from the previous year. Buying and using green has also saved money through reuse of some products.

Green Spending 2004/05 - 2006/07

0200000400000600000800000

100000012000001400000160000018000002000000

RecycledProducts

GreenhouseFriendlyProducts

GreenProducts

Total

Am

ount

Spe

nt ($

mill

ions

)

2004/052005/062006/07

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Management Challenges While Knox has an effective waste management system in place, there are a number of challenges in managing emerging issues, and maintaining the current system. Of particular concern is the recent data that shows that in Knox the overall production of solid waste going to landfill is increasing. Given the growing population of Knox and surrounding suburbs, it is likely that the identification of suitable sites for waste disposal facilities of all kinds will become increasingly difficult in the future. The emergence of new kinds of ‘difficult to dispose of’ waste is also a likely future challenge. Some of the key challenges are discussed in more detail below:

• An increase of rubbish going to landfill in Knox: Council data shows an overall increase in the amount of rubbish going to landfill in Knox City. This runs counter to trends in the rest of the state, according to the most recent audit of Towards Zero Waste.

• Climate change and peak oil will have an influence on waste disposal options: The impact of peak oil and the emergence of global carbon markets are likely to increase demand for certain recyclable materials, in particular those containing petrochemicals. In addition, as tougher measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change are introduced, the viability of landfill disposal (in its current form) as a waste approach will decline, given the level of greenhouse gases produced

• Decreasing land supply as Melbourne grows: As Melbourne continues to develop and grow in population, land supply for waste disposal is likely to decline. This will mean the location of appropriate sites for waste disposal facilities (of all kinds, including green waste) is likely to become more difficult, as the traditional service areas of Melbourne change to a predominantly residential land use. In many parts of the world the availability of land for waste is a major issue, and a lack of it can result in serious public health problems and significant costs for transport.

• Dumping of rubbish on public and private land: While there are no precise figures to demonstrate the incidence of rubbish dumping in Knox, unfortunately anecdotal evidence suggests that it occurs relatively frequently, particularly in publicly owned parks and reserves. In addition to impacting on the visual amenity of an area, waste dumping is an expensive and unpleasant issue for Council and other public land managers, and impacts on the environmental values of reserve lands.

• The disposal of ‘difficult waste’ : While the concept of whole of product stewardship is being discussed by some industries, there is a long way to go before the problem of difficult to dispose of solid waste is resolved in Knox. In the meantime, Council bears the cost of removing ‘hard rubbish’ and a new category of ‘e-waste’ is emerging as a problem. E-waste includes things such as old TVs, computers, mobile phones etc. It is not clear at this stage how the responsibility for the cost of removing this waste should be shared. Will Australia follow the direction of Germany, the EU and UK and introduce federal laws to enforce manufacturer responsibility?

• Litter: Litter was identified as a significant environmental issue in each of the community workshops. Community members felt that it is imperative for Council to address litter, especially where it occurs in open space and waterways. This is consistent with a littering behaviour study conducted by the Beverage Industry Environment Council (BIEC) which showed that 94% of people consider litter to be a major environmental issue, yet people continue to litter.

Carelessly discarded litter is not only unsightly. It creates many risks and management challenges.

o Litter costs a lot of money to gather up and clear away

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o Litter is a threat to public health. It attracts vermin and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Items such as broken glass, used syringes and other sharp objects or hazardous substances can cause injuries and other health impacts

o Litter can be a fire hazard. Discarded lit cigarette butts can easily cause a fire in areas with other litter

o Litter can harm or kill wildlife. Plastic litter can easily choke or suffocate birds and marine life, and containers can trap small animals

Littering is difficult to combat because it involves people of all ages and occurs for many reasons, and it comes from many sources, some of which are outside the municipality.

Managing waste There are a number of organisations that have responsibility for managing waste in Knox. These include EPA, Metro Waste Management Group, Sustainability Victoria. While these groups are primarily responsible for the management of waste, the greatest opportunities in waste management lie in decisions that are made during production and distribution of goods, and when individuals make decisions about what they purchase and how they dispose of any waste they generate. Every person living or working in Knox has the potential to have an impact on how waste is produced and managed in Knox.

Community Views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. People put forward the following ideas about how resource efficiency and waste should look in the future:

• The community will have a greater understanding of the waste systems in Knox and a better appreciation of the connections between their own lifestyle and the production of waste

• Recycling will be well established in the daily lives of people, everyone will understand the recycling grading system, and seek to reuse and recycle, before throwing things away.

• Recycling systems will be more integrated into daily life. Recycling services will be easy to access and they may include schemes that provide incentives for recycling, such as refunds or purchasing of valuable or toxic materials

• There will be systems to manage resources that people often find hard to recycle, such as mobile phones, car tyres, batteries, oil, computers and other electronic equipment. These services will be promoted well so that people know where they are and what can be recycled

• Policy and regulatory settings will encourage business to reduce the lifecycle impact of the goods they produce, and take responsibility for the ‘decommissioning’ phase of a product life-cycle

• There will be market incentives for businesses to produce ‘greener’ products, Disposable products will be seen as less desirable than products that are well designed and able to be re-used

• Green waste will be collected and processed into mulch and compost which can then be used by residents in their gardens

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• Community groups adopt parks and public places to ensure they are kept free of litter and People have adopted areas to keep clean and free of litter

• There is a drastic reduction of solid waste going to landfill

Outcomes for waste

Goal: To have less waste and more sustainable lifecycles To achieve this goal of less waste and more sustainable lifecycles Council will work to adopt the following approaches over the next 10 year. It is around these approaches that actions and strategies will be developed and measured:

• Provide effective recycling systems: Current programs show that recycling works. On a weekly basis many residents and business put out their recyclable waste for collection and reuse, and some mobile phones are finding their way to the Mobile Muster bins provided at phone retailers. However the current system does have some flaws that affect the level of resources that are recovered. At present, recycling of some materials (e-waste, batteries, cork, mobile phones) is only available at a limited number of sites, and many recyclable resources are thrown into the general waste stream because this is the easier option. Also, some recyclable materials are not recycled, they are disposed to landfill, because not all residents fully understand what can be recycled. Providing an effective system for recycling that caters for all recyclable waste will ensure that recycling is the easier and therefore preferred option. While recycling remains the option that requires most effort, a significant volume of recyclable material will be lost to landfill.

• Reduce waste at the source: There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to ensure that waste is reduced at the source. In the first instance, this will involve working with manufacturers and retailers to identify how much of their product and its packaging will immediately become waste before a product is used, and how much waste the product will generate when it is finally disposed of. Wherever possible, at this stage waste can be minimised by thoughtful selection of materials for use in products and their packaging. The second key point for reducing waste is when a purchaser selects and purchases a product. Well-targeted education will assist community members to make wiser decisions that will yield reduced waste. A third stage in reducing waste is in ensuring that community members are aware of what materials can be recycled and what systems are available for them to do this. This final component of this approach will assist to reduce waste by removing recyclables from the waste stream. Council will work with local businesses and other community members to assist them to reduce waste at the source.

• Contribute to supply-chain management of waste: Much of the waste that is generated through the supply of a product or service can occur well away from the boundaries of Knox and of Australia. Supply chain management refers to taking action to manage the impacts associated with a product or service at all stages of its provision by actively engaging with a supplier and working with them to find the best solution to the need for a particular good or services. Effective supply chain management can have an impact on waste (including such products as greenhouse gases) during the extraction of resources, manufacturing, packaging and transportation through active involvement and education of suppliers. Supply chain management often has spin-off benefits: When a customer collaborates with suppliers to provide a more sustainable product, this can then become available to other purchasers of that product or service. Council’s demand for sustainable goods will contribute to the availability of providers of sustainable goods and services in Knox, and further support suppliers who are already proving sustainable goods and services. Taking this approach will serve to

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strengthen Council’s current green purchasing strategy: Using its influence, Council will seek to cause suppliers to consider their purchasing and manufacturing strategies.

• Encourage greater re-use of materials: Following on from the preferred options of reducing waste, the second preference in the waste management hierarchy is re-use: That is, purchasing products that can be used more than once in preference to disposable ones. Council has done a significant amount of work to encourage community members to reduce waste at source, to purchase projects that contain recyclable materials and to recycle materials where they can. Council will further build on this work to encourage choices that result in the re-use of objects, thereby gaining greater value from the effort and resources that have gone into creating and supplying them.

• Understand the social, environmental and economic implications of all purchasing decisions considering the whole lifecycle of products and services: Decisions about purchasing do not stop at whether or not a purchase is needed and can be financially afforded. The decision to purchase a product or service has a range of implications. Effective decision making can have an impact on the waste produced in manufacturing and providing a product, the waste that is produced through its operation (energy and other resources that are used and any by-products that result from the use of a product such as packaging of consumable supplies), and the waste that is produced once the product reaches the end of its useful life. Council will work with its own staff and with community members to build understanding about the impacts of purchasing decisions, and to develop strategies to manage the purchasing process and thereby the downstream impacts.

• Reduce and manage litter: Litter is a pervasive issue that has been identified by community members as a high priority for Council to address. Community concern focuses on the unsightly nature of litter, and concerns about how litter affects waterways in Knox. Council will work with community and businesses to reduce litter at source, and to reduce littering behaviours as the first step on the path to managing litter. Council will also work with community to clean up litter hotspots and waterways.

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to improve waste management:

• Find out about what can be recycled

• Remember the waste hierarchy whenever you are making a purchase: reduce, re-use, recycle

• Recycle all of your waste that you can

• Put your green waste into a worm farm or compost for use on your garden

• Drop no litter

• Talk with your friends and neighbours about what they can do to reduce their waste

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Indicators Indicators that will be used to measure improvements in waste and sustainable lifecycle management are:

o Amount of waste going to landfill

o Percentage of waste that is recycled

o Percentage of recyclable materials going to landfill

o Number of supply chain agreements with suppliers that specify environmental objectives or outcomes

o Number of residents / businesses actively recycling

o Litter counts at litter hotspots

For each of these indicators, positive outcomes will be reflected in measurable trends. Council will see an increase in the rate and effectiveness of recycling in Knox: More people will be recycling, and less recyclable waste will go to landfill.

Also, there will be a decrease in the total amount of waste going to landfill.


Vision 2025



By creating open spaces that are welcoming and free of litter, encouraging social activity within them, and supporting lifelong learning through community education and engagement programs


By creating a safe place to live, free of litter and other waste through community involvement

Other Plans Waste management Strategy 2006

Metropolitan Waste management Strategy

Towards Zero Waste

Buy Green and Waste Wise Action Plan

Purchasing Policy


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Programs, plans and policies

Programs Since 2001 the Knox City Council has implemented a range of waste minimisation programs, summarised below.

Green Purchasing – ECOBUY ECOBuy is a program that supports local government and businesses in purchasing environmentally friendly products.

Knox City Council has been a member of ECOBuy Network (and its predecessor, the Local Government Buy Recycled Alliance) since 2001. Since that time, Council has been committed to reducing waste, reducing greenhouse emissions and purchasing green products through its day to day operations. Since commencement of this membership, green purchasing has increased substantially across the organisation.

Some of the major achievements since joining the ECOBuy Network include:

• Changes to the purchasing policy to incorporate green purchasing

• Participation in two regional Green product expos.

• Purchase of recycled content white and coloured paper.

• Promotion of green product availability to relevant staff.

• Use of a number of green building materials in Capital Projects

• Collation of green product information library.

• Purchase of gas and dual fuel vehicles for Council fleet.

• Purchase of 50% Greenpower for streetlights and facilities

• Purchase of water and energy efficient products

Detox Your Home Program The Detox Your Home program provides free disposal of household chemicals. The program outlines in detail acceptable and unacceptable items for chemical disposal.

Recycling in Public Places Knox City Council has approximately 65 Public Place Recycling (PPR) bins positioned in local shopping centre areas and in some reserves. Knox City Council embarked on a program sponsored by the Beverage Industry Environment Council to reduce contamination in recycling bins in public places.

Dealing with rubbish The Knox Open Space Plan, 2001 reported high demand from the community for improved litter and rubbish collection, however inspections at the time indicated that there was currently a satisfactory level of service at most sites. It was recommended that the focus be on the removal of rubbish from roadsides and undeveloped areas. The Knox Sustainable City Strategy 2001/2010 supported a 'take your rubbish home' policy, based on the successful implementation of Parks Victoria's 'no bins' policy. Knox has undertaken an extensive education program, removed public place rubbish bins in parks and installed 'take your rubbish home' signage.

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‘Waste Wise’ to ‘Resource Smart’ The Waste Wise program is no longer run by Sustainability Victoria, however a new initiative, Resource Smart, is being introduced that will advocate waste minimisation strategies.

Knox City Council received Waste Wise certification for the Stringybark Festival. At the 2007 Stringybark Festival, 54 percent of waste produced was recycled.


• Stimulate innovation in products made from recycled / waste materials by encouraging innovative businesses to operate in Knox through business support and incentive schemes.

• The Waste Wise Business Program aims to assist businesses to effectively manage waste minimisation, recycling and littering, in turn reducing cost.

• Waste Wise Schools program implemented in many schools across Knox.

• Working with Regional Waste Management Group in investigating the removal of organic food waste from domestic rubbish collection with a view to composting.

• Review of Waste Management Plan undertaken in 2006.

• Investigation of the opportunities for establishing a tipping/landfill site within the region.

• Council becoming a “Waste Wise Organisation”.

• Establishment of a data base on waste generated by Council operations and sites and establish reduction targets.

• Development of the Waste Wise Action Plan for the reduction of Council (as a business) generated waste and for recycling.

• Assessment of all Council operations in terms of efficiency, waste produced, opportunities for waste reduction, purchasing of recycled products, recycling products / wastes, etc.

• All new Council buildings and facilities developed using sustainable materials and practices. Review of standard design brief for Council buildings and facilities to ensure that sustainability principles are incorporated. Development of a sustainability checklist for new Council Facilities to ensure that sustainable materials and products are used wherever possible.

• Review of existing purchasing policies and development of a new Purchasing Policy that includes for Green Purchasing.

• Council joined ECOBUY (Green Purchasing Program).

• Monitoring of the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy (1998 – reviewed 2006).

• Encouragement and enforcement (through positive reinforcement) responsible disposal of pet waste.

• Ongoing Monitoring of the amount of material being recycled and the contamination of recyclables.

WASTE MINIMISATION

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• Improve the data regarding the amount and types of material going to landfill.

• Inform residents as to the cost of waste management and collection per household through the introduction of a separate garbage charge.

• Investigate opportunities for providing household chemical collections more frequently in the local area.

• Promotion of Waste Wise Business / Organisation Program with State Government.

• Extension of Old Joe’s Creek Project to other catchments and industry sectors into GreenLeaf program.

• Development of case studies to promote best practice in reducing waste and disposal of waste.

• Introduction of a user pays waste service for businesses to choose from a daily or weekly garbage collection and a free weekly recycling collection.

• Asset Protection Local Law to restrict runoff and to control litter and sediment from construction and demolition sites.

• Continue improvements to litter capture methods used in litter hot spots.

• Developed a “take your rubbish home” culture in the community through appropriate signage and by reviewing the need for bins in public places/reserves.

• Review effectiveness of existing public place recycling bins and relocate and/or extend to meet demand.

• Installation of Butt Out Bins to Council facilities and key strip shopping centres and hot spots.

• Participate in Sustainability Victoria’s Waste Wise Events program.

• Use of Council's website as the central point for accessing information and viewing sustainability projects.

• Promotion of the EPA’s pollution and litter reporting line through links on the Council website.

• Promotion of Councils Waste Management System in order to reduce dumping of litter and garden refuse in public land and roadsides.

• Promotion of the Waste Wise Schools Program, Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge and Clean Up Australia Day.

• Visy Recycling and waste minimisation incursion and excursion program offered to schools through Council waste management contract.

Links to other Strategies and Plans Waste Management Strategy 2006

Metropolitan Waste management Strategy

Towards Zero Waste

Buy Green and Waste Wise Action Plan

Purchasing Policy


SUSTAINABLE PLANING AND DEVELOPMENT

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5. SUSTAINABLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

GOAL: To increase the liveability of the city and develop sustainably The goal for planning and development is to create a city that is liveable and which is guided by sustainable planning. This is an ambitious goal for Knox but one that has been set to drive the city toward sustainability. Achievement of the goal will see a city that is designed to live with the natural environment rather than one which replaces it.

The approaches that will contribute to the achievement of the goal of sustainable planning and development are outlined below. It is around these approaches that that actions and strategies will be developed to lead to sustainable planning and development.

Approach 5.3 Create a city where people can live, work and recreate locally

Indicators 5.b, 5.d

Approach 5.4 Consider the implications of Climate Change on the built form of Knox

Indicators 5.f

Approach 5.2 Consider sustainability in all developments

Indicators 5.a, 5.b, 5.c, 5.d, 5.e, 5.f

Indicators 5.a Net Gain in indigenous vegetation

achieved

5.b Number of activity centres where place management principles have been applied successfully

5.c Number of accredited green buildings

5.d Average distance in kilometres between community facilities and transport options

5.e Define the preferred urban character of Knox

5.f Number of STEPS and SDS applications received

5.g Number of businesses providing sustainability services







Approach 5.1 Define the preferred urban character of Knox

Indicators 5.e

Approach 5.5 Encourage, attract and retain sustainable businesses to Knox

Indicators 5.g

SUSTAINABLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

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Sustainable Planning and Development in Knox The way human settlements are organised influences the impact they have on our environment. Cities and towns develop in particular ways as a result of their local environment, economy and history.

An integrated approach to land-use planning that balances social, economic and environmental responsibilities is key to achieving a sustainable city. The Planning Department in Knox has focused on applying sustainable principles to the urban and rural environs. These have been translated into various strategies and policies, and administered through the Planning Scheme, as well as forming the framework for other sustainable initiatives such as transport and activity centre planning and implementation.

The Knox City Sustainable City Strategy, 2001 - 2010 outlined the following key strategies to achieve sustainable planning and development:

• Ensure that the principles of sustainability underpin all new development within Knox.

• Enhance the neighbourhood character of Knox through high quality street tree planting.

• Enhance the liveability of Knox in accordance with efficient use of infrastructure and community needs and expectations, while minimising the impact on environmental values.

• Active promotion of sustainability to locally based business.

• Protect and enhance the heritage values of Knox.

• Monitoring outcomes of sustainable planning and development.

• Provide community education regarding sustainable planning and development.

Enforcement role Council has an enforcement role which is particularly critical if planning is to be effective. Enforcement is the mechanism that ensures policy or plans are reflected in what really happens within the city.

Council has responsibility for enforcing:

• Compliance with Planning Scheme

• Compliance with conditions on Planning Permits

• Compliance with Building Regulations

• Compliance with health regulations

• Compliance with local laws


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Recent planning activity The information below provides a snapshot of planning permit activity during 2006-2007. From the data it can be concluded that the introduction of the Foothills Planning Controls in November 2006 has had a significant affect on the number, type and location of planning applications received during 2007. Some highlights were:

• 1179 planning applications were received in 2007, a 26% increase from 2006, and a record number of planning applications for Knox.

• The number of applications for residential buildings and works on single dwellings increased by 301% from 2006.

• About 48% of all planning applications received were from Chandler or Dobson Wards.

• 236 Planning Applications required public notification during 2007.

• The number of applications reported to Council for determination in 2007 fell by about 62% from 2006.

• 78% of the applications determined under delegated authority were decided in less than 60 Statutory Days, with the median time being 32 Statutory Days.

Applications Received in 2007 During the calendar year of 2007, a total of 1179 planning applications were received. The total of 1179 applications represents a 26% increase in applications from the 933 received in 2006. It is also noted that 2007 represented the highest number of applications received by the City of Knox in recent times, and given the trend of planning controls requiring more permits, it is probable that this figure is the highest number ever for the City of Knox. Monthly application records were set for nine months during 2007, with the December total of 167 applications easily setting a new record for the number of applications received in a month.

The graph below show the number of planning applications received yearly from 1999 to 2007.

Yearly Applications

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200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

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Council also received 352 applications to amend a planning permit or endorsed plan, or extend the time of a permit, during 2007 (21% increase from 2006), as well as 197 applications to certify plans of subdivision (14% decrease from 2006).

Type of applications received Applications received by Council fell into five broad categories:

• Residential Buildings & Works: This category covers any proposal to construct a single dwelling on a property or extend or alter an existing single dwelling on a property.

• Multi Dwelling Developments: This category covers any proposal that involves more than one dwelling on a property.

• Vegetation Removal/Pruning: This covers applications to remove or prune vegetation. This type of application is triggered usually by Overlays that cover the Foothills area, as well as other areas of significant vegetation.

• Subdivision: Subdivision involves the process of creating new titles for land. Most subdivision proposals are procedural following medium density proposals, however there are also some land subdivisions. The type also covers re-alignments of boundaries, creation or removal of easements and variation or removal of covenant applications.

• Other (Development and Use): Other than the specific categories listed above, this covers all other types of applications, and includes Advertising Signs, change of use applications and development proposals for non residential uses, such as industrial or commercial buildings.

The breakdown of the planning applications received is shown in the table below.

Type of application No. received 2006 No. received 2007

Residential buildings and works 85 341

Multi-dwelling units 159 149

Vegetation removal / pruning 261 297

Subdivision 204 174

Other 224 318

The increase in the number of applications for residential buildings and works is notable as it represents an increase of 301% from 2006. This change reflects the implementation of the new Foothills planning controls, which require planning permits for buildings and works for single dwellings.

The increase in ‘other’ application types is largely attributable to the receipt of 91 applications for bus stop signs. The fall in vegetation removal applications is significant, although it is felt that with the introduction of new Foothills controls for buildings and works, the tree removal is now being assessed as part of a larger application covering a house extension, carport or other development – previously only the tree removal would have required a planning permit.

It is also surprising that the number of applications for multi unit developments has fallen by only 10 applications, given that the Foothills controls has significantly reduced the number of applications within the Foothills area. This result indicates that developers are still looking to develop within Knox and choosing areas more consistent with the Knox Housing Policy to lodge applications.


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Developing Knox A significant aspect of Council’s role with regard to planning and development relates to determining what Knox will become. Creating a sustainable city will require change within the city and its form. There are many aspects of the city’s form that will be considered as Council moves toward sustainability.

Character of Knox Some aspects of the current character of Knox may need to change to make the city more sustainable. Council will work with community to define a preferred character for the city that will take into account factors such as changes to the mix of uses in activity centres, changes in development density in some defined areas and changes in transport infrastructure. A move away from the use of exotic plant species in preference for more indigenous plantings will also be considered.

Attracting sustainable business Council will work with existing businesses to assist them to become more sustainable in their practices. This will produce environmental outcomes through reduced waste, reduced greenhouse gas production, reduced water and energy consumption and other improvements, but it will also yield financial savings for these businesses. Most importantly for business, many of the savings that are gained are not one-off savings, but recurrent ones that provide benefits for many years within the business: Reducing the amount of energy used for a business will result in savings on energy costs every year thereafter.

In addition to supporting local businesses to become more sustainable, Council will also work to attract businesses that provide sustainable goods and services that will support the shift to a more sustainable city. Attracting sustainable businesses to the area will support economic development in the city, and provide further opportunities for people to work locally.

Management Challenges There are some very significant land-use planning issues in need of consideration if Knox is to become a sustainable city in the future. These include managing population growth, encouraging sustainable development and influencing the urban form so that the structure of the city itself becomes more sustainable.

• Sustainable development in Knox: To create a more sustainable city, Council must take into consideration a complex mix of issues, each of which is dynamic and cannot be considered in isolation. Factors that Council must consider include population growth, biodiversity, infrastructure, sustainable buildings, climate change, community health, changing technologies for energy and service provision and the changing political climate at the local, state, national and international level. Council must remain alert to the ever changing field of sustainability and sustainable development.

• Varying degrees of influence over trends and other organisations: Council has full control over some aspects of what happens in the city, but there are many decisions that are made outside the jurisdiction of Council that have a direct impact on Knox and will have an impact on the City’s ability to reach some sustainability goals. Council maintains an active role as an advocate for community to influence aspects that are affected by decisions made by other bodies in areas such as transport, metropolitan planning processes, energy and water supply, education and health.

• Maintaining conditions of permits and other agreements over time: Council is able to influence some aspects of the form of the built and natural environment of the city using planning controls and permits. A challenge for council is to develop ways to maintain the effectiveness of these over time. Council is able to stipulate the environmental performance of buildings to ensure that they comply with current star


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rating standards. During the life of the building, however, its environmental performance may be diminished as a result of modifications made by the building owner that do not require a permit or approval. Similarly Council does not maintain control of vegetation and other landscape features (WSUD) after a development is completed.

• Balancing population increases and conflicting needs: Knox is currently faced with a growing population which presents a range of conflicting interests and needs. Both the demand for large homes and for higher density living make it very difficult to provide the open space and leafy green environment that community members value, and also to protect and maintain biodiversity. The heavy reliance on cars as the preferred means of transport by the majority of community members also makes it difficult to justify and gain support for some aspects of more integrated and sustainable transport options.

Community Views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. In their views on how planning and development would occur in a sustainable Knox, community members said that they would expect:

• All new buildings and renovations will meet a very high minimum standard for sustainability. Planning regulations will require a high level of energy and water efficiency, sustainable materials will be used and roof-top gardens will be a common sight

• Buildings are well designed, allowing them to cater to changing uses without major refitting or demolition, enabling the retention of embodied energy within them. Buildings are also designed and built so that building materials can be recycled when renovating or demolishing.

• The city has been developed on a human scale. It is easy to get around on foot and by bicycle on tracks that are bushy and tree-lined. And the houses are built on a moderate scale, suited in size to the number of people who live in them

• Nature is a part of the urban environment. Open space abounds and is filled with indigenous plants and animals

• The city has been designed with public transport in mind. All community facilities have good public transport access. It will be possible to live in Knox and work elsewhere, travelling by public transport easily each way

• The city is well designed for integrated transport, with shared paths connecting different transport options (trains, buses, trams), and adequate car parking at stations

• Housing density is higher near community hubs, enabling people to live close to services

• The city has been planned to integrate the needs of the aging population

• Indigenous plants are seen throughout the city, on public and private land. Weed species have been eradicated

• Local shopping centres and villages have become commonplace, allowing people to shop locally for the essential goods

• Sustainable businesses will be actively encouraged to set up in Knox


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• Recycled water will be supplied to all properties for use in toilets, laundry and other uses that do not required potable water

• Knox will feel like a safer place to live and to travel about

• Council actively engages with and consults the community to ensure their decisions are consistent with community wishes and interests

• All urban areas are characterised by the way in which water has been considered. All surfaces are designed to be porous, and water sensitive urban design contributes significantly to the quality of local waterways

Outcomes for sustainable planning and development GOAL: To create a liveable city and sustainable development The goal for planning and development is to create a city that is liveable and which is guided by sustainable planning. This is an ambitious goal for Knox but one that has been set to drive the city toward sustainability. Achievement of the goal will see a city that is designed to live with the natural environment rather than one which replaces it. Development of the city will be done in a way that meets the needs of both current and future generations, providing good facilities, affordable and accessible housing and open space both now and into the future.

The approaches that will contribute to the achievement of the goal of sustainable planning and development are outlined below. It is around these approaches that that actions and strategies will be developed to lead to sustainable planning and development.

• Define the preferred urban character of Knox: Developing Knox as a sustainable city will require changes to the current character of Knox. For the city to become sustainable Council will need to consider:

o Multi-purpose community facilities that meet the needs of the current community and the needs of the future community

o Supporting people to live and work locally

o Increasing housing density around activity centres

o Mixed land use (mix of commercial, residential, office, recreational and community facilities in one location) to support people to work and live locally, with a village feel, rather than zoning single land uses together

o Reduced use of exotic species and grassed parkland in preference for indigenous species that support local biodiversity

Council will work with the community to define an urban character that is consistent with the needs of the community and the needs for sustainability. The preferred urban character may change over time as community members become more aware of sustainability issues and approaches that are needed to address these. The need for new approaches may cause changes in the preferred urban character.

• Consider sustainability in all development: ESD principles will be applied to all decisions affecting the city’s development. Sustainability principles that are applied will consider all three dimensions of sustainability: Economic, Environmental and Social. Developments will meet the needs of the natural environment and the social environment, including such aspects as accessibility for disabled people. The net effect of this will be that the city’s development is affected at all levels, from small local developments such as housing extensions through to major decisions that affect the whole city.


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• Create a city where people can live, work and recreate locally: Creating a city where people can live and work and recreate locally will have a significant impact on travel around the city. Reducing the need for travel, and the overall distance travelled will increase the range of travel options open to people, making options such as cycling and walking more realistic than in other scenarios. A significant impact will be the reduced reliance on motorcars for travel. This will result in less air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, more open space as less land is required for car parking, and reduced fuel costs for communities and businesses. A further benefit that will arise is the reduced amount of time spent in travel, providing a social benefit to individuals and to families. Enabling people to live and work locally is also essential to the creation of a village type community.

• Consider implications of climate change on the built form of Knox: Climate change will have an impact on weather systems, creating increased risks from adverse weather events, bushfire and flooding. These changes will present risks to the city that must be considered in how the city is designed, and how it is constructed. Considering the implications of climate change, Council will:

o Minimise heat island effects

o Ensure building construction and other infrastructure can withstand extreme weather events and other impacts of changed weather such as flooding and prolonged exposure of building materials to ultraviolet light and heat

o Support human health needs

o Minimise generation of greenhouse gases

• Encourage, attract and retain sustainable businesses to Knox: Creating a sustainable city will require both:

o Businesses that operate in sustainable ways; and

o Businesses that provide sustainability products and services. That is, products and services that will be relied on to create a sustainable city. These are businesses that can provide sustainability services such as design and installation of sustainable products, and also the producers and retailers of sustainable products that will support resource efficiency, reductions in greenhouse emissions and other pollution, and other solutions that are required by a sustainable society.

Council will work with existing businesses to assist them to become more sustainable in their practices. This will produce environmental outcomes through reduced waste, reduced greenhouse gas production, reduced water and energy consumption and other improvements, but it will also yield financial savings for these businesses. Most importantly for business, many of the savings that are gained are not one-off savings, but recurrent ones that provide benefits for many years within the business: Reducing the amount of energy used for a business will result in savings on energy costs every year thereafter.

In addition to supporting local businesses to become more sustainable, Council will also work to attract businesses that provide sustainable goods and services that will support the shift to a more sustainable city. Attracting sustainable businesses to the area will support economic development in the city, and provide further opportunities for people to work locally.


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Indicators Indicators that will be used to measure improvements in sustainable planning and development are:

1. Net Gain in indigenous vegetation achieved

2. Number of activity centres where place management principles have been applied successfully

3. Number of accredited green buildings

4. Average distance in kilometres between community facilities and transport options

5. Preferred urban character of Knox redefined

6. Number of STEPS and SDS applications received

7. Number of businesses providing sustainability services


Vision 2025


By developing the city so that it is integrated with the natural environment


By creating open spaces that are welcoming, encouraging social activity within them, and supporting lifelong learning through community education and engagement programs


By creating a safe place to live, where people are able to come together in open spaces, and where public transport is accessible and efficient.

Other Plans Melbourne 2030


Economic Development Strategy

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to support sustainable planning and development:

• Consider sustainability in all renovations and other building projects

• Support local sustainable businesses

• Reduce areas of concrete and other hard surfaces to prevent runoff and contribute to managing the heat island effect


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Neighbourhood Character Study

Urban Design Framework

Municipal Strategic Statement

Greenhouse Action Plan

Open Space Strategy


Current Programs

Knox Urban Design Framework 2020 Knox City Council is one of the first councils in Victoria to create an urban design vision for the 'whole of the City' and address the environmental, social and economic issues faced by an outer suburban municipality. It includes an urban design vision, strategies, actions and design guidelines for ensuring that the unique strengths and attributes of Knox are protected, promoted and enhanced by quality planning decisions. This includes the protection and enhancement of Knox's unique characteristics, such as the foothills and the Dandenong Creek Valley, which are of metropolitan significance. There are opportunities to make the neighbourhood shopping centres more lively, attract more high-tech companies to the City and protect the character of Knox's residential communities. There is also a focus on planning for better transport options and to ensure that all transport infrastructure is constructed in a way that respects the natural landscapes.

Municipal Strategic Statement The Municipal Strategic Statement is one of Council’s key strategic visionary documents. It provides the overarching strategic directions for land use and development of the City of Knox. It is an integral part of the Knox Planning Scheme and helps achieve the Vision 2025 and the key drivers in the Community and Council Plan.

• Where we will direct new housing

• How we will promote sustainability and protect natural ecosystems

• How we will foster and promote economic vitality

• What improvements are needed to transportation and upgrades to existing infrastructure

Commencement of Activities to Meet Strategic Objectives

• Encouraging a reduction in hard surfacing in residential, commercial and industrial areas through the development of Water Sensitive Urban Design solutions and the development of technical standards.

• Developing a strategy for strategically identifying and targeting sites and for Council to perform a “broker” role between land owners and developers to help free up or “unlock” areas with urban renewal values.

• Development of a strategy for the protection and enhancement of tree canopy to environmentally sensitive areas and areas with high landscape character values. This is to be linked to Sites of Biological Significance Study. The strategy will also investigate the establishment of incentive programs (ie rate reductions). This project has been commenced through the Municipal Strategic Statement review and site of Biological Significance planning scheme amendment.


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• Protection of elm trees from the Elm Leaf Beetle on privately owned land. An Elm Leaf Beetle register has been prepared along with an annual mail out.

• Monitoring the aims and objectives of Council’s Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) and provide input with regard to principles of sustainability.

• Continue to upgrade strip and local shopping centres ensuring a diversity of activities and services.

• Adoption of ESD policy for Council buildings and support to community through implementation of Sustainable Development Scorecard (SDS) for non residential developments and Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy (STEPS) for Residential developments on a voluntary basis.

• Establishing a policy that supports the placement of community facilities and services (recreation/social services/library) close to users and existing infrastructure to minimise the need for additional travel, encourage the use of public transport and provide for ease of access.

• Actively encouraging the management of Knox businesses to include sustainability in their business planning and operational activities.

• Actively promote and encourage local businesses to develop Environmental Best Practice (eg Waste Wise) as a part of their core business through programs such as GreenLeaf Project. Council is sponsoring the Vic 1000 project for Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) In partnership with Village Green and the Sustainability Fund. Through a better understanding of their business operations, participating businesses will be empowered to reduce their level of environmental impact, while at the same time saving significant amounts off their operating costs. The program will take place over a twelve (12) month period and will include workshops, individual business audits and one on one contact. Businesses involved in the program will also learn the art of sustainable business management. The topics covered within the workshops include sustainable business management, energy, waste, water and visual merchandising and sustainable business marketing strategies.

• Council will also be sponsoring the Business Transformers program for large businesses in partnership with Swinburne’s National Centre for Sustainability. This program utilises a wealth of experience from one of the world’s leading practitioners in sustainable growth techniques. Participants will develop the ‘how to do’s’ from practitioners that have ‘done it’. The program will work with 15 large businesses through a number of seminars, workshops, networking and opportunity assessments. The topic covered include: Strategic planning; Measuring and monitoring; Cultural behaviour change; Carbon trading schemes; Energy efficiency; Integrated water management; and Leadership in sustainability.

• A review of Knox Heritage Strategy with input from all stakeholders.

• A review of the Planning Scheme Heritage Overlay to incorporate review of Knox Heritage Strategy.

• Development of processes and indicators to monitor the results and effectiveness of sustainable planning and development programs or policies.

• Establishment of a central point for accessing information and viewing sustainability projects.

• Provision of promotional and educational information to support policy and programs. This is to include educational materials to assist residents with the preservation of environmental and heritage values on private land.


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Other strategies and plans Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Municipal Strategic Statement

Urban Design Framework 2020

Housing Statement

Foothills Policy

Knox Central Urban Design Framework

Boronia Structure Plan

Access and Inclusion Plan

Bayswater 2020: Bayswater Activity Centre Structure Plan

Stud Park Structure Plan

Actions that have been undertaken

• Consideration of principles of sustainability as a part of the development and implementation of Council’s “Neighbourhood Character Study”.

• Review of local laws and planning policy to ensure consistency with MSS and enforceable compliance mechanisms.

• Establishment of compliance mechanisms including bonds, local laws enforcement and planning enforcement/compliance officers.

• Audit of Knox’s street trees, and integration into Council’s GIS system (this is an ongoing program).

• Establishment of a power line relocation strategy that identified key strategic areas (shopping centres) and environmentally sensitive locations for the introduction of aerial bundle cabling or undergrounding of power lines. This is to be linked to Urban Design Framework and an ongoing part of the place management program for activity centres.

• Input into the review of the Dandenong Foothills Policy with regard to principles of sustainability.

• Review of Council’s position with regard to Shopping Centre Revitalisation and the place management program for activity centres. Issues that have been considered include:

- The value of Separate Rate Schemes and other funding options.

- Planning for sustainable communities (facilities and services close to home), mixed uses including retail, residential, community and recreation.

- Planning for liveability such as community arts and services.

- Encouraging innovative and sustainable urban form – energy and water efficient building design.

- Focus on public transport and access by pedestrians.

- Focus on pedestrian friendly environments as a priority.

- Opportunities for Urban Renewal.


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• Establishing a policy that formalises the Master Planning approach to reserve development and shopping centre revitalisation. This is linked to policy on “Activity Centres” or “Pulsating Hearts” and Open Space Strategy. There is an agreed timetable for implementation for activity centres and open space

• Provision of input into Recreation Plan with regard to the principles of sustainability.

• Development of an Open Space Plan for Knox that considers sustainability principles such as biodiversity, access (other than cars) passive and active recreation needs, access for all (this has been partly funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria).

• Encouragement of Home Based Businesses through advice and access to business support networks and sources of business information, training and development opportunities.

• Developed a program to improve open space to achieve Triple bottom Line Outcomes (social, economic and environmental outcomes).

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT

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6. INTEGRATED TRANSPORT

Goal: To develop integrated, sustainable transport systems that provide multiple, connected transport choices The overall goal for transport in Knox is that it will be both sustainable and integrated. These transport systems will provide realistic transport choices that Knox residents will use to both travel around Knox and commute out of Knox. People living and working in Knox will be able to make choices about how they travel that allow them to travel effectively and efficiently with minimal environmental impacts.

Approach 6.2 Improve connectivity of transport modes and services (Between modes e.g. bike and train, and frequency, hours of operation, etc.)

Indicators 6.b, 6.c, 6.e, 6.f

Approach 6.3 Increase the range of public transport choices available

Indicators 6.b, 6.c, 6.e, 6.f

Approach 6.1 Improve walkability and cyclability

Indicators 6.a, 6.d, 6.f

Indicators 6.a shared pathways, on-road bike lanes and

priority bus lanes in Knox

6.b connectivity of public transport services (time spent waiting for linking services, accessibility at key community facilities)

6.c percentage of population with access to public transport within 2km of their home

6.d average number of cyclists per day on key bicycle routes

6.e Average daily number of public transport users

6.f Travel to work Census data

Vision 2025 Achieving outcomes for integrated transport will contribute to the following outcomes from Vision 2025:






▪ Accessible Transport Choices


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Transport in Knox The transport system in Knox supports the flow of goods and services vital to economic wellbeing in Knox and plays a critical role in the daily routine of families, business and government.

Transport provides opportunities for members of the community to access employment education and other local services and activities, thereby improving community capacity and minimising social isolation.

As noted in earlier sections, Knox is an outer metropolitan municipality that covers an area of 114 square kilometres and has a population of almost 150,000 people. This is expected to grow to 155,850 by 2015, followed by slowing annual increases to around 162,000 by 2031. Accordingly, demand for transports services will also increase.

The built form of Knox is typical of outer suburban areas, and is intersected by a number of major arterial roads. The roads provide major routes for transport within and through Knox, and are an important feature of the city’s built form. These roads are used mainly by cars, buses, taxis and trucks.

There are no trams in Knox, however the Knox Transit Link does provide a bus that meets every tram at Vermont. This project provides an integrated service from Melbourne to Knox. Currently the use of bicycles for commuting is considered to be very limited.

Public transport Key public transport services in Knox are:

• Belgrave rail service

• Smart bus route serving Stud Road and Wellington Road

• Telebuses in Rowville

• Knox Transit Link, connecting with tram in Vermont

Modes of travel Research into transport usage was undertaken as part of the Knox Integrated Transport Strategy. The research shows that the majority of people in Knox rely almost solely on their motorcar as the main mode of personal transport. As the chart below shows, most people drive alone to work (travelling in car as driver). There is minimal use of public transport, or non-car based transport alternatives. Car ownership in Knox is slightly higher than in the rest of metropolitan Melbourne, and very few people ride bikes or walk.

0100002000030000400005000060000

Train

BusTram Tax

i

Car as

drive

r

car a

s pas

seng

erTruc

k

Motorbi

ke

Walked

20012006


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Management Challenges There are a number of systemic issues in Knox’s current transport systems that pose a major barrier to achieving sustainability in Knox. These issues have emerged over time as major roads have been built, both influencing and being influenced by the pattern of suburban development at Melbourne’s eastern fringe. Choices have been made, and will continue to be made in the future by state governments regarding relative levels of investment in public transport and other sustainable transport options as opposed to roads. To be sustainable, future decisions will need to address this set of issues related to the transport system in Knox taking into consideration both social and environmental impacts:

• The current organisation of buildings, roads, and the urban structure of Knox does not support sustainable living: as noted above the way suburbs are laid out has a major impact on how people move within and between them. Suburbs that are spread out and connected by large roads and freeways are designed to be ‘car dependent’. This way of organising suburbs emerged in the 1950s – the hey-day of the large family car. A major challenge for implementing sustainable transport strategies in Knox is working within this particular spatial arrangement.

• Congestion and parking – congestion, lack of parking and driver behaviour all impact on the effectiveness of the transport system in Knox. A lack of parking at train stations is a particular concern, as is increasing congestion on major roads.

• Lack of frequent, well-connected and safe public transport: Public transport does not work effectively for many community members as it does not provide them with the flexibility that they need for their daily transport. Concerns that are regularly raised by community members about public transport is that the services are too infrequent, different modes of transport do not connect well, pubic transport is unsafe (especially trains) and it is not well connected to where people want to travel. To be competitive or seen as a real alternative for travel, public transport will need to offer the convenience and flexibility that people feel they get from their car.

• Poor integration between transport modes – For public transport, Knox is served by trains, buses and taxis. Community feedback is that there is very poor integration between these systems of travel: particularly between trains and buses.

• Advocating to influence metropolitan Melbourne transport decisions: Council has a role in advocating for improvements in public transport services, and is consulted on some decisions such as the location of bus stops

• Choices of the individual: As Knox’s public transport is improved, a remaining challenge will be to educate community about the range of travel options that are available and to support them in accessing the most sustainable options where possible.

• Balancing the needs of all road users: Council must represent the needs of all road users, including drivers and passengers of cars, buses and trucks, cyclists and pedestrians. Wider footpaths would be ideal for pedestrians and cyclists, but this must be balanced with the need for roads that are wide enough to allow safe passage of trucks, buses and other large vehicles that must travel through the city. Council must operate within the constraints of the street and road space that is currently available to provide an approach meets these diverse needs as effectively as possible.

• Meeting the needs of an aging population: The population of Knox is ageing. As the average age of the population changes, so do the city’s transport requirements. An older population has quite different transport needs to a younger population. Council will need to understand the travel and transport needs of the ageing population and plan for these.


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Managing Transport There are a number of organisations with a role in transport policy and planning in Knox. These include RACV, Department of Infrastructure, VicRoads, Department of Sustainability and Environment (Planning approvals), Department of Planning and Community Development (Melbourne 2030). Council has a role in maintaining roads, and can act as an advocate for community with other government bodies.

State Government provides funds, and other significant organisations are the operators of public transport: Connex for trains, and local bus companies Invicta, Ventura, Gredas and Kefford (Eastrans)

Community views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. In their views on a sustainable transport system community members said that they would expect:

• People will enjoy walking and using public transport for at least half of the trips they make

• Public transport is efficient, reliable , safe, affordable and used by most people on a regular basis, the streets are full of people, instead of cars

• Pubic transport services all the places that people go to in their daily lives, including hospitals, community centers, schools and shops

• Connections between transport hubs improved, shuttle buses for local transport

• Public transport supports people to move about freely and go where they want to go, it is family friendly

• Better network of bike tracks, both on and off-rods, motorists and cyclists share the road responsibly

• There are parking hubs at strategic locations throughout the city, not just train stations

• Public transport reaches ‘gaps; for example Rowville, establishment of ‘telebuses’ that operate in certain areas, that takes people to a hub where they will catch public transport (eg Maroondah)

• A series of ring rail lines link Melbourne suburbs

• The tram line from Melbourne extends to Knox

Outcomes for integrated transport GOAL: Integrated and sustainable transport systems that provide realistic transport choices The approaches that will contribute to the achievement of this goal of transport that is integrated and sustainable are outlined below. It is around these that actions and strategies to improve the sustainability and integration of transport will be developed and measured.

• Improve walkability and cyclability: Shared paths and other resources will be developed to ensure that community members are able to choose walking and cycling as a viable means of transport for traveling around Knox, and traveling between different modes of public transport.

• Improve connectivity of transport modes and services: To work effectively as a means of transport, public transport systems need to be well connected: Different services must connect within suitable timeframes, and services must connect where


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people are traveling from to where they are traveling to. To improve the connectivity of public transport systems and services, Council will advocate for improved services such that community members are able to access a range of travel options that will work together effectively to get a person to the places they want to travel to in a reasonable time. To further support and link the existing metropolitan transport services (trains, buses) Council will advocate for providing greater local flexibility through the use of Telebuses and other local services through the State Government Bus Service Review, that connect residents to major transport services, and transport services to key community facilities. In addition to a greater range of services, greater connectivity will include more frequent services.

• Encourage changes in travel behaviour: Achieving sustainable transport outcomes will require both a range of sustainable travel options, and changes in travel behaviour. Council will actively work to encourage community members to take up sustainable travel options through the provision of information about the choices that are available to community members, and through the use of behaviour change programs such as the TravelSmart program. In addition to changes in modes of transport, other options that will also support sustainable travel with the city are working locally and working from home.



• Shared pathways, on-road bike lanes and priority bus lanes in Knox

• Connectivity of public transport services (time spent waiting for linking services, accessibility at key community facilities)

• Percentage of population with access to public transport within 2km of their home

• Average number of cyclists per day on key cycle routes

• Average daily number of public transport users

• Travel to work censes data

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to support integrated transport:

• Talk with Council about aspects of the transport system that do not work for you

• Use public transport regularly

• Walk or ride a bicycle for short local trips

• Car pool when you can

• Telecommute and work from home if you can


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Vision 2025


By providing integrated transport systems that meet community needs. Including greater support for cyclists and pedestrians will encourage these modes of transport and generate health benefits

• Accessible transport choices

By providing integrated transport options that are well located and well connected to other transport options

Other Plans

• Integrated Transport Plan

• Bicycle Strategy

• Pedestrian Strategy

Programs , Plans and Policies

Integrated Transport Plan Council has developed an Integrated Transport Plan which addresses many of the transport issues identified in Knox. The Integrated Transport Plan aims to ensure that no future transport project within Knox is delivered without an examination of its complementing transport network. An important outcome of the plan is intended to be the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector through the availability of transport choices.

Broad objectives of the strategy are:

• Ensure that land use planning and economic development allows for local services and employment, reducing the need to travel long distances

• Provide appropriate infrastructure for public transport and non motorized transport modes

• Advocate for improved public transport infrastructure and services

• Encourage sustainable travel behavior

• Ensure integrated planning for metropolitan transport

Pedestrian Plan Due to the recognised community benefits of increased walking and as part of a commitment to sustainable and integrated transport, Council developed a Pedestrian Plan for the municipality. The Plan explores the concept of walkability and in particular focuses on ten “hotspots”. In order to assist in developing a ‘walkable community’ the Plan identifies and recommends:

• Application of walkability guidelines

• Physical infrastructure works

• Implementing promotional initiatives


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Bicycle Plan The existing Knox Bicycle Plan is currently being reviewed and will be finalised in 2008. The vision of the reviewed Plan is ‘That the City of Knox will through well planned bicycle infrastructure and programs increase the use of bicycles for commuting transport and recreation in a safe, convenient and sustainable manner for residents and visitors’.

These plans can be accessed by contacting Council. These plans and policies will be gradually updated ensure the components relating to transport are consistent with the directions of this strategy.

Actions that have been undertaken The following actions that have been undertaken in accordance with the Knox City Sustainable City Strategy 2001/2010:

• Ensure that the principles of sustainability are considered as a part of the development and implementation of Council’s Integrated Transport Plan

• Public Transport Officer appointed to drive implementation of Smogbuster Program

• Educational materials outlining the benefits of using public transport on website, green travel plan for the Angliss Hospital

• Development of a Knox Bicycle Plan, including provision of bicycle infrastructure at transport nodes

• Introductions of alternative fuels in Council vehicles and TBL scorecard for vehicle selection

• Participation in the Scoresby Transport Corridor EMP process, and advocacy for the construction of the freeway following provision of public transport services as recommended in the EES report

• Advocate for the reservation of land for public transport, design of bicycle paths and pedestrian infrastructure

• Implementing road safety strategies

• Implementation of Walking School Bus with Primary Schools across Knox

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION (GREENHOUSE ACTION)

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7. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION & MITIGATION (GREENHOUSE ACTION)

Goal: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and to be well prepared for climate change The goal for climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby improving air quality, and for Council to be well prepared for the changes in our climate. Council will achieve this by working with community to create a carbon neutral city powered by clean energy sources. The move to cleaner energy sources will not only reduce the city’s impact on climate change – it will also result in air that we can all breathe.

Through strategic planning and action, Council will lead residents in adapting to the impacts of climate change, keeping Knox a safe and healthy place to live and work.

Approach 7.2 Offset greenhouse gas emissions

Indicators 7.d, 7.e,

Approach 7.3 Plan for adaptation to climate change

Indicators 7.g

Approach 7.4 Develop partnerships to address climate change mitigation and adaption

Indicators 7.h

Approach 7.1 Achieve community and council greenhouse gas reduction goals

Indicators 7.a, 7.b, 7.c,

Indicators 7.a Council emission reduction

7.b Community emission reduction (Business & Residential)

7.c Average residential energy use

7.d Number of households and businesses signed up to greenpower

7.e Amount of power generated locally

7.f Number of smog alert days

7.g Actions taken to adapt to climate change

7.h Partnerships developed with a focus on managing climate change

Vision 2025 Achieving outcomes for climate change will contribute to the following outcomes from Vision 2025:




▪ Healthy connected communities Approach 7.5 Improve air quality

Indicators 7.f


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Climate change in Victoria There is now scientific consensus that the earth’s climate is changing, due to the increasing presence of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and the ‘greenhouse effect’ caused by these. Debate remains regarding the extent and speed of change that will occur. Australia’s average temperature has risen on average 0.9 degrees between 1910 and the current time: there has been an increase in heat waves, fewer frosts, changes in the location and seasonal responses of plants and animals, and a rise in sea level of about 15cm. In Victoria there has been an overall decline in rainfall, but an increase in the severity and regularity of extreme weather events, i.e. storms and fires5.

Observed changes in Victoria's climate Victoria's climate is already changing. Both maximum and minimum temperatures have increased by 0.8 degrees celsius since 1950. Over the same time, Victoria has experienced a decline in total rainfall of 13%. The incidence of severe droughts during strong El Niño events has tended to be more frequent, and it is believed that the impacts of the 2002 drought are likely to have been increased by climate change.

Victoria's future climate CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology published climate change projections for Australia in October 2007. Climate Change in Australia provides the latest information on observed climate change over Australia and its likely causes, as well as updated projections for changes in temperature, rainfall and other aspects of climate that can be expected over coming decades as a result of continued global emissions of greenhouse gases. Results for Victoria indicate that:

• Victoria is expected to warm at a rate slightly faster than the global average, especially in the north and the east

• Summer temperatures are likely to increase more than winter temperatures. By 2030 average annual temperatures across the state are likely to rise by 1.6° C relative to the temperatures between 1961-1990. By 2070 average annual temperatures are likely to rise by up to 5°C across most of the north of the state, and up to 4°C across the south of the state

• For most of Victoria, climate models indicate a tendency for decreases in average annual rainfall. This will be accompanied by a shift in rainfall patterns. Annual, winter and spring rainfall is likely to decrease, whereas rainfall in summer and autumn may increase. By 2030 annual rainfall is projected to decrease by around 4% relative to the climate of the past century. By 2070 the change is projected to be a decrease of 6% under a low emission scenario, or 11% under a high emission scenario.

• There will be in increase in the annual average amount of solar radiation reaching the ground, due to a reduction in cloud cover. This will have implications for skin cancer, solar energy and water heating, plant photosynthesis and the degradation of some building materials

• The projected tendency for decreased rainfall and increased evaporation, along with warmer temperatures, is likely to increase drought risk

• Areas with natural snow cover for at least 60 days may decrease by 10-60% by 2020, and 38-96% by 2050

5 Infrastructure and Climate Change Risk Assessment for Victoria: Report to Victorian Government, Prepared by CSIRO, Maunsell and Phillips Fox, March 2007. Available from www.DPI.Vic.Gov.au


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• Warmer, drier and longer summers expected in Victoria are very likely to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires

• Projected changes in rainfall and higher evaporation are likely to result in less water for our catchments and dams. In most catchments, runoff will decrease by 2-30% by 2030, and by 5-50% by 2070.

Risks to biodiversity Victoria supports a wider range of land-based biodiversity than any area of similar size in Australia. Many of Victoria’s ecosystems, such as the Victorian Alps, have limited ability to adapt to climate change. Species most at risk are those that are restricted to small geographic areas, unable to migrate fast enough, or are already compromised.

Community impacts Climate change will affect our communities in a variety of ways. It is anticipated that climate change may affect our infrastructure, patterns of supply and demand for water and energy, property values, availability of insurance, public health, tourism and the prosperity of rural communities dependent on agriculture.

Major planning decisions involving infrastructure will need to account for new climatic conditions and anticipated changes.

One of the major health risks will be heat-related deaths. These are likely to rise from 289 per year at present in Melbourne to between 582 and 604 per year by 2020, and 980-1318 per year by 2050. Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall variability are likely to increase the intensity and frequency of food-borne and water-borne diseases.

In addition to these changes, Victoria is likely to have increasing evaporation rates, increased days of high fire danger, much less snowfall, more frequent drought and greater risk of coastal erosion and inundation.

Climate Change in Knox

Contributions to greenhouse gases in Knox In 1998 the Knox community released an estimated 2,672,900 tonnes of greenhouse gas – nearly 19 tonnes for each person living in Knox. The greatest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Knox is the industrial sector at 45% - this includes agriculture, mining, manufacture and construction. The main source of these emissions is the electricity used by the sector. The contribution of all sectors is shown below.


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Climate change and health impacts Much of the current community debate about climate change focuses on how it will affect our weather, and how it may affect other animal and plant species. An often neglected aspect of climate change is how it may affect the human population.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has elected to focus on “protecting health from climate change” as its theme for this year.

As a result of climate change WHO predicts that there will be many impacts on human health. Across the world, they predict that health impacts will include:

• Injuries that arise from natural disasters such as flooding, high winds and other storm events

• Injuries that arise from both heat waves and extreme cold

• Changes in the distribution of vector-born diseases such as malaria – as the distribution of mosquitoes that carry malaria changes, so will the distribution of the disease they carry

• Food productivity in some areas of the world will be reduced, resulting in an increase in malnutrition and associated disorders in those regions

• Respiratory diseases may increase with changes in air quality and changes. They may also increase as changes in wind patterns affect the distribution and concentration of airborne pollutants

The WHO has estimated that 60,000 people die each year as a result of climate change related disasters.

In Australia, medical researchers have noted an in increase depression and anxiety that patients are experiencing as a result of climate change. Patients are feeling a high level of concern about climate change and its impacts, and they feel powerless in their ability to affect any change.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners also predicts that food poisoning, respiratory disorders and mosquito-borne diseases will be on the rise.

Management Challenges There are specific challenges in responding to a global environmental threat such as climate change. At a global level, these relate to the need for all nations to work together toward a significant reduction in emissions. At a local level, there are economic, social and technological barriers that must be addressed.

• Providing clear and accurate information to the community: Community members receive information about climate change from a variety of sources, some of which is contradictory to agreed scientific conclusions about the reality of climate change and its potential impacts. Effective action on climate will require commitment from community members to both make changes in their private lives and to support actions by Council. Achieving commitment and support from the community requires the provision of clear, accurate and understandable messages about climate change, including information about the reality of climate change, potential local impacts, and most importantly, information about what each person can do to assist in managing climate change.

• Having a clear and accurate understanding of climate change and its potential impacts: Our understanding of climate change and its implications is evolving every day as new research becomes available and as recent data is collected and analysed. To be effective in responding to climate change, Council needs to have a sound knowledge of all aspects of climate change. This knowledge will include an understanding of:


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o Current scientific knowledge about climate change including predictions of future extent and impacts

o Community knowledge of, and attitudes toward climate change

o Strategies to mitigate further impacts on global climate systems

o Strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change

Failure to remain well informed and aware of all aspects of managing and responding to climate change will restrict Council’s effectiveness in planning for climate change and engaging with the community.

• Adapting to climate change: While much of the effort of government and the community has been focused on reducing our impact on climate change through developing ways to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, there is also a need to respond to the climate changes that have occurred, and to those which we can realistically expect to see in the near future (next 50 years). Current planning activities must take into account known and expected changes that will have an impact on community health, supply of water and energy resources, frequency of bushfire and extreme weather events, productivity of agricultural and horticultural businesses, and modes of transport.

• Continuing to mitigate community impacts on climate change: The climate has changed and will continue to change as a result of human activities, but this does not lessen the responsibility of Council to continue to act to reduce the production of greenhouse gases. Forecasts from CSIRO present a range of scenarios for climate change, with the more moderate impacts arising from a scenario in which the global community continues to act to reduce and manage human impacts on climate change. To achieve the more moderate climate change outcomes, Council must continue to actively engage with the community and strategic partners to develop and implement strategies that reduce the production of greenhouse gases.

• Understanding the risks presented by climate change: Climate change presents many potential risks, including direct risks to human health and risks to property through increased natural disasters such as storm and flood events and bushfire. Secondary risks, or flow-on effects, that Council will need to consider are factors such as increasing costs of goods and services, and of natural resources such as electricity, gas, petrol, water and food. Council will need to develop a risk profile that identifies these risks and strategies to address them

• Managing the built environment: Council has responsibility for the built environment both through the construction and management of community assets and infrastructure, and through planning and approval processes that set standards and guidelines for development within the municipality. Effectively manage the built environment in response to climate change will require Council to mange both existing and new buildings and infrastructure. New buildings will need to be designed to function in different climatic conditions into the future. Climate change will have an impact on existing buildings which have not been designed to withstand more frequent violent storm events and prolonged periods of extreme heat.

Community Views Council consulted with residents in the preparation of this strategy. People were asked to express their aspirations for Knox as a sustainable city. People put forward the following ideas about how climate change should be managed in the future:


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• Council has played a leadership role in identifying ways to make the city more sustainable. It has addressed climate change in all areas of its operations, and helped community members to follow this lead.

• The community is very well informed about climate change, its causes and impacts, and strategies that can be adopted to minimise community impacts

• The sustainable city is approaching being carbon neutral

• Energy efficiency is a very high community priority. Energy consumption has been reduced wherever possible prior to consideration is given to offsetting the impacts of energy consumption.

• All energy used in the city comes from renewable sources. Much of the power generation occurs locally, will all buildings generating solar power, and some local wind generation.

• Because of the way the city has been planned, there is a reduced heat island effect. Heat absorbing materials and surfaces have only been used where necessary

• Transport around the city looks very different. There are only a few cars on the road, and most of these are smaller, more economical fuel users than in 2008. Most people are travelling on foot, by bicycle and on public transport wherever possible.

• What were once innovative solutions have now become common-place. Hydrogen vehicles are driven by many, and green roofs or rooftop gardens are commonly used for their insulation value

Outcomes for climate change GOAL: To have clean air and a liveable climate To achieve this goal, Council will adopt the following approaches over the next 10 years. It is around these approaches that actions and strategies to manage impacts on climate change will be developed and measured.

• Achieve community and council greenhouse gas reduction goals: Council’s Greenhouse Action Plan has set emissions reductions goals for both community and Council. The goal for Council is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% on 1998 emissions levels by 2010. The goal for the community is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% on 1998 levels by 2010. It is Council’s first priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the demand for products and services that involve the emission of greenhouse gases. Reducing demand can be achieved through the selection of efficient products in some cases such as energy and water efficient equipment, and also through finding alternative ways to achieve the same result: using a bicycle for local travel rather than a car or other motorised vehicle.

• Utilising and generating renewable energy: There are two broad options that are available to Council and the community for accessing renewable energy. One is to support the local generation of renewable energy. Many people are aware of the option for generating solar power from the rooftops of homes and businesses. Other options can include the establishment of community facilities such as wind generators that are owned by the local community. The Hepburn Renewable Energy Association has recently received approval to build a community owned wind farm, and Maribyrnong Council is currently seeking community support for a wind generator in the municipality. The second option for accessing renewable energy is the purchase of accredited


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renewable energy through the GreenPower program. Currently all energy generators are required to produce a set amount of renewable energy (determined by the government’s mandatory renewable energy target (MRET)). Accredited Green Power is audited annually by a collective of state authorities to ensure that all power that is claimed as renewable is generated by truly renewable means, and also to ensure that power retailers are not claiming renewable energy produced to comply with their MRET is not claimed as green power. This ensures that additional money that is paid for renewable energy through the green power scheme does contribute to additional generation of renewable energy. Council will work with business and community to increase the amount of renewable energy that is generated and used in the city.

• Offset greenhouse gas emissions: Council’s first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by managing demand. Wherever possible, the demand for energy will be managed through the efficient use of products, services and energy. For all emissions that Council is unable to avoid, action will be taken to offset the impact of these emissions. To offset the impact of a greenhouse gas emission, it is possible to take act to counter the impact of that emission. For example, trees, shrubs and soils can absorb carbon dioxide (the most common greenhouse gas) from the air. Because of their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, planting trees can act to counter the impact of releasing carbon dioxide into the air. Offsetting the impacts of emissions is set as a second-order priority because of the resources (time, dollars, land etc) that are required to effectively offset the impact of emissions. In many cases, it is more cost-effective to avoid the emission rather than to commit to the cost of offsetting its impact.

• Plan for adaptation to climate change: Climate change is known to be happening and it is very clear that there are going to be impacts within Knox. Predictions for the impacts of climate change in the short term (next 50 years) include health impacts, increases in adverse weather events and bushfire frequency / intensity, impacts on water availability and quality, and impacts on energy supply systems. Council will assess the possible impacts of climate change on Knox, and will prepare a plan in response to these impacts.

Actions for community The following are actions that members of the community can take to reduce your impact on climate change:

• Plant Indigenous species in your garden

• Use your car less

• Keep your car well tuned and serviced

• Always choose energy efficient appliances

• Use less energy around your home and at work

• Switch to green energy

• Talk with your friends and neighbours about what they can do to reduce their impact on climate change


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1. Council emission reduction

2. Community emission reductions (Business and Residential)

3. Average residential energy use

4. Number of households and businesses signed up to Green Power

5. Number of smog alert days

6. Actions taken to adapt to climate change

7. Partnerships developed with a focus on managing climate change

Other outcomes Actions to manage climate change will also achieve gains toward Vision 2025 and other Council strategies. Outcomes will be achieved in the following areas:

Vision 2025


By providing opportunities for all community members to work together on the community goal of reducing impacts on climate change. Cleaner air that will result from climate change actions will also contribute to a healthier community.

• Accessible transport choices

Improved support for public transport and other sustainable transport choices will provide more accessible transport options.


By reducing the impacts of climate change on all aspects of the natural environment.

Other Plans Greenhouse Action Plan

Programs , Plans and Policies

Programs

GreenLeaf Project As discussed on page 20 this program provides support to industry, schools and the broader community to find more sustainable ways of working and living. One of the key themes of the program is to identify energy savings both at home and work. Program participants are involved in workshops and networks to learn more about sustainability. Part of the program is a Sustainability Kit which includes tools to assist individuals to undertake an energy audit in the home.

Urban forest program

Council’s urban forest program is responsible for planting approximately 30,000 plants every year. After 10 years these plants will be removing approximately 75,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere every year.


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Implementation of Sustainability Initiatives Council has undertaken energy and water audits and has progressively implemented identified projects and processes to reduce the demand for electricity and water.

Revolving Energy Fund Council has established a revolving energy fund where identified savings from energy and water conservation projects are reinvested into further energy and water conservation projects.

Showerhead Exchange

Council has formed a partnership with South East Water to exchange regular showerheads for water efficient showerheads at the Civic Centre and Rowville Branch Office. This has allowed Council to make it very easy and accessible for the Knox Community to exchange inefficient showerheads. This has allowed Knox to exchange in excess of 6,500 showerheads, far greater than any other municipality in the South East Water Region.

Plans and Policies

Greenhouse Action Plan As a member of the Cities for Climate Protection campaign, managed by the International Council for Local Government Environment Initiatives (ICLEI), Knox has developed a Greenhouse Action Plan and taken a number of actions to reduce its own emissions profile. Notably, Council now sources 50% of the energy used for public lighting from certified ‘green energy’ providers and a further 50% is offset.

The Action Plan identifies way to reduce emissions across the following five areas:

• Transport

• Energy efficient design

• Energy use

• Waste management

• Business and industry

• Carbon sequestration

Actions that have been undertaken

• Cities for climate protection membership 2001 and achievement of Milestones 1 – 5.

• Greenhouse Action Plan (2003).

• Monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions for all council facilities (2003).

• Greenhouse gas emissions audit as basis to establish reduction targets (2003).

• Purchase of Green power by Council (50% of all street lights) (2006).

• Council new street light contract will offset the remaining 50%.

• Establishment of demonstration projects at Rowville community centre to showcase sustainable energy use.

• Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Policy Developed (2006).

• Establishment of Revolving Energy Fund where savings are reinvested in future energy saving initiatives.


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• Promotion of energy efficiency through programs such as Buy, build and renovate seminars, STEPS, sustainable design scorecard and Stringybark festival.

• Advocacy to state government to introduce new legislation and planning controls to encourage energy efficiency as part of new building developments.

• Information and education materials for green power; bicycle networks; efficient heating and cooling; public transport; alternative transport options; and standby energy use.

• Implementation of a new five star energy rating for buildings and introduction of two new ESD tools – STEPS and Scorecard to help improve sustainability performance

• Council has set a target of 25% efficiency for all renewal and new works, whilst resourcing and officer to work with the community and business in utilizing the new ESD tools for housing and industrial developments

STRATEGY BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT

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BACKGROUND TO THE STRATEGY

Review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy Context Pty Ltd was contracted by Council to conduct a review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy and to prepare the Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy.

This review is a continuation of the process of environmental planning that commenced in 1994 with the development of the Knox Local Conservation Strategy.

The Knox Local Conservation Strategy resulted in the implementation of numerous initiatives in all aspects of Council’s operations. These included major waste and recycling projects, Water Watch and Urban Forest tree planting programs involving local school children. The plan was reviewed in 2000. This review was undertaken in the context of Local Agenda 21.

Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy Review It was in this context that the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy was developed. Interestingly it was noted in the foreword of this new plan that:

It would be reasonable to claim that a number of the initiatives that emanated from the 1994 Knox Local Conservation Strategy were visionary in their focus; however they were either not achievable at that time, or necessarily embraced by the community.

Ironically, the more challenging visions and initiatives that were identified in 1994 are now increasingly becoming the subject of community and government focus on a national and international scale. The question of water sensitive urban design, stormwater management, large scale recycling, waste reduction, protection of our biodiversity, reduction in greenhouse gases and the protection of the ozone layer have now become part of our lives and language. Further, society is being challenged constantly through the media to embrace the concept of sustainability and the protection of our valuable resources; now and for the future.

Eight years later, this same statement would hold true about the Knox 2008/2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy. The community understanding of sustainability issues has progressed remarkably.

LOCAL AGENDA 21

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit, developed Agenda 21, a blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development which called on governments around the world to take action. Local Agenda 21 comes from Chapter 28 of that blueprint.

Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local government was considered to be essential for achieving significant environmental change.

Local governments construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental infrastructure, oversee planning processes, establish local environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and regional environmental policies. As the level of governance closest to the people, they play a vital role in educating, mobilising and responding to the public to promote sustainability.


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The review of the Knox 2001/2010 Sustainable City Strategy showed that further steps have been taken toward achieving the goal of a sustainable city. Actions that have resulted from the strategy include:

• establishment of various policies including Net Gain Policy, Bush Blvd Policy, Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy, Ecological Sustainable Design Policy

• establishment of a landscape assessment team including an arborist

• establishment of a regional biodiversity group, with membership including neighbouring Councils, Parks Victoria, Vic Roads and Melbourne Water

• Community and school planting programs are implemented annually

• Additional Bushland Officers have been employed to further protect remnant vegetation and engage with the community around indigenous vegetation

• Gardens for Wildlife and Greenleaf community engagement programs have been implemented

• Schools for Sustainability program commenced in 2007

• Demonstration wetland projects have been established at Koolamara Waters, Waterford Valley, and Bergins Road

• A Sustainable Water Use Plan has been adopted by Council

• Micromet irrigation systems have been installed in over 40 ovals to reduce water consumption

• Waterless urinals and dual flush cisterns have been installed in community facilities

• Installation of water tanks to community facilities

• A number of Waterwatch sites have been established along Old Joes Creek and Dandenong Creek

• The Victorian Local Sustainability Accord has been adopted and Local Environment Sustainability Priority Statement prepared

• A Triple Bottom Line (TBL) scoresheet is used to rank capital works projects

• A TBL Fleet Scoresheet has been developed to assess and rank the Council vehicle fleet

• The MSS has been updated to include sustainability issues within planning processes

As a result of these actions, Council has achieved the following results:

Reduction in greenhouse emissions: Council has achieved its 2010 target of a 30% reduction of greenhouse emissions in 2008, with further reductions planned.

Reduction in water consumption: Council has realised significant potable water savings, achieved by reducing water consumption by Council through the installation of tanks with a capacity in excess of 1.5 mega litres, dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, flow restrictors, etc. Substantial water savings have been achieved in partnership with the community through the shower head exchange program (in excess of 7,000 exchanged), GreenLeaf program, library talks and information sessions.

Other measurable achievements: Through active volunteerism and friends groups, in excess of 30,000 plants are planted each year, tonnes of rubbish removed and extensive weed programs are undertaken. In excess of 500 people are involved with friends groups across Knox.


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Further detail about achievements in response to the Knox City Sustainable City Strategy 2001/2010 is provided in relation to each Direction later in this strategy.

Strategy consultation inputs This diagram shows each of the consultation inputs that contributed to the development of the strategy:

Following review of the Knox City Sustainable City Strategy 2001/2010 and initial research including a literature, benchmarking and a gap analysis a program of consultation was undertaken, as outlined below.

120 people participated in the workshops and the dialogue group briefing session, and a further 50 people completed the web survey.

Knox Sustainable Environment Strategy

Dialogue groups School groups

Family & Children’s Services

Transport & Traffic Dept

Environment Advisory Committee

Youth Advisory committee

Council internal environment working group

Knox Sustainability Dept

Church groups

Knox residents

Community workshops General community members

Business Summit Knox businesses;

Swinburne’s National Centre for Sustainability

Village Green

Online Survey General community members

Public Exhibition Comments from public

Comments invited from:

• Department of Sustainability & Environment

• Municipal Association of Victoria

• ICLEI

• VicRoads

• Port Phillip & Westernport CMA

• Parks Victoria

• South East Water


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Dialogue Groups Dialogue groups are a community consultation process that is used to allow groups of people to meet to discuss issues that are important to them. A person who has an interest in the issue that is the focus of consultation (in this case, the Knox City Sustainable Environment Strategy) brings together people whom they feel should have the opportunity to contribute opinions and views to the consultation.

When the group meets, they have a discussion about the consultation topic, guided by prepared questions.

20 dialogue groups were conducted, with a total of 96 people participating in total. This process was used to enable many Knox City Council staff to have an input into the development of this strategy.

Community Workshops Two community workshops were held in April 2008 to seek resident input into the development of outcomes and measures that underpin this plan. Council staff and members of the Environment Advisory Group enjoyed in-depth discussions with locals about the sustainability issues of concern to them.

The workshops were held at St Jude’s Hall Reception Room (49 George St, Scoresby) on the 14th and 15th April 2008.

The consultation process enabled the priority issues to be identified and meaningful measures to be developed to enable future reporting on progress.

Business Summit The Ecological sustainability summit for business was held at the Knox City Council offices on the 21st April, 2008. The summit was attended by a range of local businesses with an interest in sustainability. Following Rob Gell’s presentation “Call to Arms and Action” there was general discussion about what a sustainable city would look like.

Case studies focused on sustainable business practices were presented by Neil Maynard of Mystique (a local printing and graphics company) and Phillip Osborne (Glaxo Smith Kline).

During the day there were two discussions in which participants contributed their ideas and views for the development of this strategy. These sessions focused on leadership and biodiversity.

The summit concluded with businesses meeting with representatives of Village Green and the National Centre for Sustainability to learn about Council’s subsidised sustainable business initiatives.

Online Survey An online survey was conducted by Council, using the same questions developed in 2001 in order to identify changes in community understanding and perception of sustainability.

The survey asked respondents to address the following questions:

Gender?

In which suburb do you live or is your business located?

How long have you lived in Knox / How long has your business been based in Knox?

How do you think of Knox as a place to live / a place to run your organisation?

Were you aware that Council has a Sustainable City Strategy?

What does ‘conservation’ mean to you?


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What does ‘sustainability’ mean to you?

What does ‘local environment’ mean to you?

How would you currently rate the environment in Knox?

Over the last 5 years, how do you feel the environment has changed in Knox in terms of environmental concerns?

In comparison to the range of issues the Council has to deal with, how important do you think ‘the environment’ is as an issue in Knox?

What are the THREE priority issues Council should be addressing in planning for the future of the City of Knox?

What are the FIVE priority issues you feel the Sustainable City Strategy should be focussing on?

Survey results The survey tells us that:

1. The majority of respondents were female (72%), with most respondents living or working in Rowville, Wantirna, Bayswater and Ferntree Gully.

2. 78% felt that Knox is a good or excellent place to live, 10% felt it was adequate, and others felt that the city is in need of improvement.

3. 34% of respondents knew that Council has a Sustainable City Strategy

4. Conservation has a range of meanings to respondents. Conservation means protection of the environment for future generations (47%), protection of the current natural environment (22%), using fewer resources such as water and energy (10%) and restoration of the natural environment (6%)

5. Sustainability means long term planning for the environment (14%), considering environment, social and economic impacts (10%), achieving a balance between the environment and development (10%), and maintaining the environment we have. Most significantly it means protecting the resources we have for future generations (27%)

6. For nearly all respondents, the ‘local environment’ is their neighbourhood, their community and Knox (85%). A small number of respondents saw the local environment on a larger scale, with only 12% feeling that the local environment includes such places as parks, gardens and features outside their suburb

Most importantly, 70% of respondents feel that the environment, when compared to other issues Council has to address, is either very important or critically important.

When asked to nominate the most important issues that Council must address when planning for the future City of Knox, respondents listed, in order of priority:

• Conservation and enhancement of the natural environment

• Improvement of public transport

• Maintain safety of the area

• Prevent inappropriate development

• Address traffic problems

Areas for priority action for creating a sustainable city are, in order of priority:

• Water conservation


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• Energy conservation

• Conservation of native flora and fauna

• Greenhouse effect and climate change

• Recycling

• Litter pollution

• Waste minimisation

• Air pollution

• Community education and participation

What has changed? Comparison of the survey results with the result from the same survey questions in 2001 show that there has been some change in the community understanding and approach to sustainability. The changes that are evident are:

• There has been little change in how people see Knox as a place to live. Knox was seen as a excellent or good place to live by 79% of people in 2001, and 78% in 2008.

• In 2001 the most significant issue in planning was transport and traffic, followed closely by recreation. There has been a significant shift in thinking with the most important issue now being conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. Improvement in public transport remains an important issue with this coming in as the second most important issue

• There has been a decrease in awareness of the Council’s strategies for environmental protection. In 2001, 45% of respondents were aware of the Conservation Strategy. In this survey, only 34% were aware of Council’s current sustainable city strategy.

• Community understanding of the meaning of conservation has changed little over the past 7 years. For the majority, conservation is about protecting the environment for future generations, and looking after what we currently have.

• Community understanding of sustainability, however, seems to have changed over time. In 2001, the most common view was that sustainability was about maintaining the environment we have, whereas now the community understand this term to be more about long term planning for the environment, considering environmental, social and economic impacts to achieve a balance between the environment and development.

The overall shift in understanding and concerns during the past 7 years reflects that the community has developed a stronger interest in seeing the environment managed well, and developed a more sophisticated understanding of what sustainability it about.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS There are many terms used in this plan that can have a range of meanings. The purpose of this glossary is to provide definitions of these words as they are intended in this strategy.

AAA rating - The National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme is a certification program that awards an appropriate A-rating to water efficient products that comply with all the relevant requirements of the Australian Standard AS6400. AAA is the highest rating on this scale.

Adaptation - Used in reference to climate change. Adaptation is the ability or preparedness to adapt systems and our way of living to accommodate changes that we know will occur as a result of climate change. For example, constructing buildings that will withstand exposure to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events.

Approach – Within this strategy, a goal has been set for each of the 7 themes. Also within each theme are several approaches. The approaches are methods or processes that Council will adopt to work toward the goal that has been set for that theme.

Biodiversity – the diversity of indigenous plant and animal life in a particular habitat. A high level of diversity is desirable as it supports the ecosystem’s overall health. While biodiversity encourages an increase of the number of species present in a habitat, this refers specifically to indigenous species: It does not imply that an increase of non-endemic native species or introduced species is beneficial to the environment.

Carbon sequestration – Processes of storing carbon dioxide so that it is kept out of the atmosphere to mitigate global warming impacts. There are many options for carbon sequestration that are proposed and being researched in Australia and abroad. Some proposed mechanisms include storage of CO2 in vegetation, in underground rock formations and within the deep ocean as carbonates.

Climate change - This term is used to refer to changes in climatic systems and patterns that have arisen as a result of human activity (involving the release of greenhouse gases) which have contributed to the enhanced greenhouse effect. It does not refer to the normal patterns of climatic fluctuation that have historically occurred in relation to Earth’s climate systems.

Ecosystem – a system of living organisms (plants, animals, bacteria and other microbial organisms) that interact with each other and with their physical environment

Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) – ESD recognises the importance of ecological systems to life as we know it. Ecological systems provide what are known as biodiversity services, such as filtering and cleaning water, storing CO2, converting CO2 into oxygen and the pollination of plants. These services are essential to our survival and are provided to us by healthy functioning natural systems. ESD refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It does not only refer to the need for physical resources such as water and minerals from the ground, but also the resources of natural systems that provide biodiversity services to us. ESD will ensure that future generations have access to both the physical resources and natural resources that they require to live a healthy life.

Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) – EVC is a system of classifying vegetation that has been developed by DSE and is most widely used in Victoria. It is an approach that is used to describe and map local patterns of vegetation diversity. An EVC represents one or more floristic (plant) communities that occur in a similar environmental niche determined by factors such as geology, soil type, aspect, rainfall and other features.

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Mapping of EVCs has been undertaken across Victoria as a part of the Regional Forest Agreement process at a 1:100,000 scale.

Greenhouse effect – Also referred to as the ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’, this term refers to the effect on climate systems that is caused by the build-up of certain gases in the atmosphere such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Human activity has resulted in much higher levels of these gases than would have naturally occurred. Once in the atmosphere, these gases reduce the loss of heat from Earth to space, acting in a similar way to a greenhouse for growing plants. The impact of this is that the planet’s climate systems are changing at a faster rate than would otherwise occur

Goal – For each of the themes, a goal has been set. The goals are long term aspirational intentions that describe broadly what Council wants to achieve in relation to that theme. These goals are not intended to be measurable: within the theme there are measures that will be applied to the approaches to monitor progress toward the goal.

Greywater – waste water from shower, bath, basins, washing machine, laundry troughs and kitchen.

Habitat hectares – This is a measure of the quality of a habitat. It is a method that has been developed to allow an assessment of the real health of an ecosystem that goes beyond simply measuring the physical area of habitat. Habitat hectare assessments rely on comparison of remnant native vegetation to a benchmark for the same vegetation type in a mature and long-undisturbed state.

Heat island – The effect that is created by having a lot of solar heat-absorbing materials such as concrete in one place. These heat absorbing masses serve as a heat bank, absorbing heat and slowly releasing it.

Indigenous – this refers to endemic native species whose normal distribution includes the Knox area. It does not include native (Australian) species that have not traditionally been found in the Knox area.

Mitigation – used in relation to climate change, this refers to action that is taken to reduce or mitigate the effects of human activity on climate systems and the greenhouse effect. Actions such as reducing the use of cars and electricity produced using coal will result in less CO2 being produced, hence reducing or mitigating impacts on climate change.

Native – this is used to broadly refer to species that are endemic to Australia, and may include indigenous species. Where a statement is intended to refer to species that are traditionally found in Knox, the term indigenous is used.

Net gain - Net gain is where overall gains in native vegetation are greater than overall losses and where individual losses are avoided where possible.

Potable water - Water that is of drinking quality.

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APPENDIX ONE: PEAK OIL

Peak Oil A current emerging issue is that of Peak Oil. Peak oil has emerged as a key issue of concern for all levels of government and communities across the world. The term peak oil refers to the point in time at which global production of conventional oil will have reached its peak. Experts vary in their opinions as to when this will occur; most estimates range from five to ten years from now.

Given that global demand for oil is projected to increase and production projected to decline is an increasingly large shortage of oil is predicted for the next decade. This will see the price of liquid fuels increase considerably. This in turn will have an impact on those communities, such as Knox, that are heavily car reliant. In addition to further rises in the cost of petrol, some of the other likely impacts from peak oil are likely to be:

• An increase in the cost of food, due to increases in transport and production costs

• Increase in the costs of service provision for council, in particular road and other maintenance that relies heavily on petroleum based products, such as bitumen

• Widespread economic impacts, as shortages in liquid fuel impact the production and distribution of petroleum based products, including plastics and pharmaceuticals, and all sectors of the economy

Figure One is the Vulnerability Index for Mortgage, Petrol and Inflation Risks and Expenditure (VIMPIRE index), developed by urban researchers Jago Dodson and Neil Sipe at the University of Brisbane in Queensland. The intent of their project was to map the impact of peak oil, and associated economic variables, on communities across Australia. A VIMPIRE Index was created for each of the major cities. The VIMPIRE index rated the degree of ‘vulnerability’ of communities across Australia to sharp increases in the cost of fuel and other essential items. In the index, 30 is the greatest degree of ‘community vulnerability’, and 5 the lowest. ‘Vulnerability’ relates to the capacity of a community to ‘absorb’ an oil shock. The map shows that areas of highest mortgage and oil vulnerability in Melbourne are concentrated in outer and fringe suburban areas – these include Knox. This map is part of a growing body of research that points to the need for urgent action to manage the impact of peak oil, and its associated impacts.

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APPENDIX TWO: SUSTAINABILTY INDICATORS The table below presents a detailed description of each indicator that will be used to measure performance against the Knox 2008-2018 Sustainable Environment Strategy.

Indicator Description

Biodiversity (protection of habitat, flora and fauna)

1.a Habitat hectares (area, number of)

Habitat hectares is a measure of both quantity and quality of remnant native vegetation. The quality assessment is conducted through comparison of a patch of indigenous vegetation to a ‘benchmark’ for the same vegetation type in a mature or long-undisturbed state. Success will be measured as an increase in both quantity and quality of indigenous vegetation.

1.b Ratio of sites linked to unlinked (Connectivity)

Connectivity of patches of habitat is considered essential to support biodiversity across the landscape. This ratio will consider the degree to which patches of indigenous habitat are linked to each other via corridors or other mechanisms that allow mobile species to travel between sites. Success against this measure will be seen through an increase in connectivity across the city.

1.c Number of locally threatened, endangered or extinct species

The number of fauna species listed as being either threatened, endangered or extinct locally (e.g. within the Knox region) is seen to be an indicator of the overall health of biodiversity in an area. Success against this indicator will be seen through a reduction of the number of species listed in these categories as a result of improved population health of these species. NOTE: a reduction in the number of threatened or endangered species as a result of these species becoming extinct will not be seen as a successful outcome.

1.d Number of locally threatened, endangered or extinct EVCs

The number of floral habitat types (EVCs) listed as being either threatened, endangered or extinct locally (e.g. within the Knox region) is seen to be an indicator of the overall health of biodiversity in an area. Success against this indicator will be seen through a reduction of the number of EVCs listed in these categories as a result of improved population health of these communities. NOTE: a reduction in the number of threatened or endangered EVCs as a result of these EVCs becoming extinct will not be seen as a successful outcome.

1.e Tree cover (ratio) This indicator will measure the amount of tree cover present in the municipality, considering the ratio of land with trees to land without trees. Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in tree cover.

Where possible, Council will also report on the percentage of tree cover that is known to be indigenous.

1.f Community participation in biodiversity education programs

Community involvement will result in better community understanding of the value of biodiversity, and result in on-the-ground action that will support biodiversity. This indicator will monitor the number of community members who choose to participate in biodiversity education programs such as Gardens for Wildlife, Greenleaf, Friends Groups, community planting activities and other educational programs.

Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in participation.

1.g Activity with regional partners Providing successful support to local biodiversity will require Council to work effectively with other government departments and

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agencies that have a role to play in relation to biodiversity management. Council will report on the number of on-the-ground actions that have arisen as a result of partnerships with other agencies such as DSE, PPWPCMA and Melbourne Water. Success against this indicator will be seen as an increase in the number of activities undertaken with regional partners. Continuous or sustained action with partner organisations will demonstrate Council’s success in maintaining relationships with regional partners.

Water (Conservation and quality)

2.a Potable water consumption in the Knox municipality

Effective water conservation measures and access to alternative water supplies will result in a reduction in the total amount of potable water consumed across the municipality.

Council will liaise with water retailers to monitor overall potable water consumption. Success against this indicator will be seen as a reduction in the total volume in litres of potable water consumed.

2.b Potable water consumption by Council

Council will monitor its use of potable water to identify the success of actions by council to reduce its consumption of potable water. Success against this indicator will be seen as a reduction in the total volume in litres of potable water consumed.

2.c Indicators of River Condition (IRC)

Data against this indicator is provided by Melbourne Water and DSE. The indicator assesses both water quality and the physical health of waterways. Success against this indicator will be measured as an improvement in river condition

2.d Number and capacity of water tanks in Knox

This indicator measures two aspects: The number of water tanks that have been installed in the city, and the total volume of tank capacity. While water tanks are not intended to completely replace reticulated potable water from reservoirs, their use will reduce the level of demand on these systems. Success against this indicator will be seen as an increase in the number of properties that have water tanks installed, and the total water collection capacity across the city.

2.e Availability of alternative water sources

With regard to this indicator, alternative sources of water includes all sources of water other than potable water. Council will report on known uses of alternative water sources, and actions to support the use of alternative sources of water.

2.f Volume of litter in waterways

Council will report on activities that provide information about the volume of litter in local waterways. Activities that will be reported on will include amount of litter removed from waterways on Clean Up Australia day, the volume of litter collected in litter traps, and any other litter survey data collected from waterways. Litter volume will be reported in tonnes, and in the number of litter items found where appropriate. Success against this indicator will be seen in a reduction in the amount of litter found in waterways.


3.a participation in Friends Groups / or volunteer hours in environmental activity

Council will report on the number of friends groups and other community groups that are involved in activities related to improving sustainability in the city. Reports will focus on the number of groups, the total number of members in groups, the range of activities undertaken and estimated volunteer hours spent in environmental activities. Success against this indicator will be seen in an increase in:

• Number of environmental groups in Knox

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• Number of people participating in groups

• Number of activities undertaken

• Estimated hours or work delivered

3.b Percentage of Knox residents that identify feeling connected to nature

3.c Percentage of residents who believe they understand sustainability issues

Knox City Council has developed a survey which has been used regularly to assess community attitudes to and understanding of sustainability issues, and their views and feelings about Knox.

This survey process will be used to monitor how residents understand sustainability issues, and the level of connection the feel they have with nature. Success against this indicator will be seen as an increase in understanding of sustainability issues, and a greater feeling of connection to nature.

3.d Understanding of new and emerging issues

The environmental issues that Council is required to understand and respond to change over time, requiring Council to remain up to date and well informed about emerging issues and strategies for addressing these. Changes that have occurred around the time of writing this strategy include a broad community acceptance of climate change as a real issue that must be addressed, and the emergence of Peak Oil as a recognised issue that is now being reflected in rising fuel prices.

Against this indicator, Council will report on emerging issues, their implications for Council and the community, and strategies that are in place to manage or respond to each issue.

3.e Number of sustainability demonstration projects

Council will establish demonstration projects with the intention of providing the community with examples of how sustainability objectives can be met. For these projects to be effective it is essential that the community are made aware of them, and that the projects include interpretation material to ensure community members understand why they are sustainable. Council will report on the number of sustainability projects and how they have been promoted to the community.

3.f Number of sustainability issues on which Council has advocated to other levels of government or relevant agencies

This indicator will measure the level of activity where Council acts as an advocate to other levels of government or relevant agencies to secure positive outcomes for the Knox community. Council will report on the range of sustainability issues on which it has advocated, other agencies involved in the activity, and the outcomes for Knox.

Waste Minimisation

4.a Amount of waste going to landfill

Council will report on the total tonnes of waste going to landfill. It is expected that the total tonnes to landfill will decline as a result of better separation of waste (less recyclable material to landfill) and because of better decision making by manufacturers, retailers and shoppers, resulting in less waste being generated.

Success against this indicator will be seen in a reduction of the total tonnage of waste going to landfill.

4.b Percentage of waste that is recycled

Council will report on the percentage that recycled materials contribute to the whole waste stream. Success against this indicator will see an increase in the percentage of waste being recycled as a result of better waste separation and better decision-making by manufacturers, retailers and shoppers, resulting in less non-recyclable waste being manufactured and purchased.

4.c Percentage of recycled materials going to The purpose of this indicator is to measure the effectiveness of activity to improve the level of recyclable materials being separated

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landfill

from other waste. Council will report on the percentage of waste going to landfill that is recyclable. Success against this indicator will be seen in a reduction in the percentage of waste going to landfill that is recyclable.

4.d Number of supply chain agreements with suppliers that specify environmental outcomes and objectives

Through supply chain agreements, Council has the capacity to influence the behaviour of businesses that are direct suppliers to Council, and also other businesses along the supply chain (other businesses that supply direct suppliers). Council will report on the number of agreements with suppliers that specify environmental outcomes and objectives, such as the provision of goods and services that are energy and water efficient, utilise recyclable materials, are sourced locally and meet other sustainability objectives. Success will be seen as an increase in the number of agreements that are signed.

4.e Number of residents / businesses actively recycling

The effectiveness of recycling is directly linked to the level of community participation. Council will monitor the number of businesses regularly participating in recycling. This will be monitored through the number of residents and businesses separating waste into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

4.f Litter counts at litter hot spots

Litter hot spots are locations that are known to regularly attract litter such as picnic spots, areas surrounding fast food outlets and café areas, and other areas where people tend to congregate to eat and to socialise. Council will report on litter counts (the number of litter items, and the number of litter types) at known litter hotspots within Knox. Success against this indicator will be seen through a reduction in the average number of litter items found at litter hot spots.

Sustainable Planning and Development

5.a Net Gain in indigenous vegetation achieved

Council will report on Net Gain assessments and activities. Success against this indicator will show an increase in successful actions that have resulted in an increase in indigenous vegetation in Knox.

5.b Number of activity centres where place management principles have been applied successfully.

Council will report on activity centres where place management principles have been applied successfully. Council will report on:

• The number of activity centres where place management principles have been applied

• How the principles have been applied

• Outcomes that the principles were intended to achieve

Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in the number of activity centres in Knox where place management principles have been applied effectively.

5.c Number of accredited green buildings

Green buildings are those which have included sustainability principles in their design to reduce the environmental impact of the building at all stages in its lifecycle. Council will report on the number of green buildings that have been built in Knox. The report will indicate the building accreditation scheme used, and the rating the building achieved under that accreditation system. Success against this indicator will show an increase in the number of green buildings built within Knox.

5.d Average distance in kilometres between community facilities and transport options

Sustainable planning and development will result in effective pubic transport options that are well connected to facilities and services that community members wish to access. Council will report on the average distance to public transport options from key community centres. Success against this indicator will show a decrease in the

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distance between public transport options a community facilities.

5.e Preferred urban character of Knox redefined

Sustainable development may require changes to the preferred urban character of Knox. Council will report on activities undertaken to redefine the urban character in response to sustainability needs and changes in community understanding of environmental issues.

5.f Number of STEPS and SDS applications

STEPS is an interactive web-based residential building sustainability assessment rating tool that has been developed as a part of the Moreland Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy (STEPS) project.

The Sustainable Development Scorecard (SDS) has been developed for non-residential properties. Council has introduced the use of STEPS and SDS on a voluntary basis for assessing the sustainability of proposed buildings. Council will report on the number of applications submitted using either STEPS or SDS, and report the rating of each building under the relevant scheme. Success against this indicator will be seen as an increase in the number of applications voluntarily using STEPS and SDS.

5.g Number of businesses providing sustainability services

The strategy directs Council to support the development of sustainable businesses in Knox. These are described as businesses that provide sustainable goods and services that will support the shift to a more sustainable city.

Council will report on the number of sustainable businesses within the city, and action taken to support an increase in the number of sustainable businesses. Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in the number of business providing sustainability services.

Integrated Transport

6.a shared pathways, on-road bike lanes and priority bus lanes in Knox

Council will report on the number of shared pathways, on-road bike lanes and priority bus lanes in Knox. Council will also report on the length in kilometres of each of these.

Successful outcomes will be seen in an increase in the number of shared pathways, on-road bike lanes and priority bus lanes, and in the total length of each of these.

6.b connectivity of public transport services (time spent waiting for linking services, accessibility at key community facilities)

For an integrated transport system to work effectively, users must be able to transfer easily between transport services. Effectiveness will be measured as the distance between services, and the amount of time spent waiting for connecting services. Council will report on the accessibility of public transport at key community facilities (range of services that are available, and the distance users must travel to access each option), and the average amount of time that must be spent waiting for each option.

Success against this indicator will be seen as an increase in the availability of transport options at key community facilities, and a reduction in the amount of time users must wait for a service.

6.c percentage of population with access to public transport within 2km of their home

Council will report on the number of residents living in Knox that do not live within 2km of a form of public transport. Success against this indicator will be seen in an increase in the percentage of people who have to travel less than 2km from home to reach public transport.

6.d Average number of cyclists per day on key bicycle routes

Council will identify key routes used by cyclists. Council will report on the average number of cyclists per day using these routes. Success against this indicator will see an increase in the number of cyclists using key routes.

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6.e Average daily number of public transport users

Council will liaise with public transport providers to report on patronage of all public transport options within the city of Knox. Success against this indicator will see an increase in the number of people using public transport.

6.f Travel to work Census data Travel to work data which is collected as a part of each national census provides information about the ways in which people travel to work. Council will report the ways that community members are travelling to work. Success against this indicator will show an increase in people:

• Travelling to work with more than one person in a car;

• Using public transport

• Using more than one form of public transport

• Cycling or walking

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (greenhouse action)

7.a Council emission reduction

7.b Community emission reduction (Business & Residential)

Council’s Greenhouse Action Plan has set emissions reductions goals for both community and Council. The goal for Council is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% on 1998 emissions levels by 2010. The goal for the community is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% on 1998 levels by 2010.

Council will report on progress toward each of these targets. Success against these two indicators will be seen in a reduction in greenhouse emissions by Council and by the community.

7.c Average residential energy use Council will liaise with energy retailers to report on average energy use by Knox residents. This will provide information about how effective Knox residents have been in reducing their demand for energy through conservation measures. Success against this indicator will be seen in a reduction of the average amount of energy used by Knox residents.

7.d Number of households and businesses signed up to green power

Using accredited Green Power is a way in which community members are able to reduce the impact of their energy use on climate change. Council will liaise with energy retailers to report on the number of households and businesses that have elected to use Green Power.

7.e Amount of power generated locally Council will liaise with local energy retailers to report on the amount of electricity that is generated locally through solar panels and other systems feeding electricity back to the grid.

7.f Number of smog alert days

Smog is air pollution produced by the action of sunlight on hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants, many of which are produced by vehicle engines. Reducing the number of smog alert days will indicate a reduction in air pollution from motor vehicles, and therefore also a decrease in greenhouse gases produced by vehicles. Success against this indicator will see a reduction in the number of smog alert days.

7.g Actions taken to adapt to climate change

In addition to acting to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, Council must also act to adapt to climatic changes that will occur as a result of global warming. Council will report on all actions that are taken to adapt to climate change. In reporting on actions, Council will identify:

• Actions that have been taken

• Outcomes that are expected from these actions

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Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in actions that are taken to adapt to climate change.

7.h Partnerships developed with a focus on managing climate change

Council will collaborate with a range of government and other agencies to develop programs that are consistent with state, national and international objectives. When reporting on partnerships, Council will identify:

• Partners involved

• The objectives of the partnership

• Actions and results that arise from the partnership

Success against this indicator will be seen through an increase in the number of partnerships that are developed with a focus on managing climate change, and the number of actions arising as a result of the partnerships.

FINAL Knox Sustainable City Strategy 290808...Council to guide the Council’s ambition of achieving...

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