Environment

Environment Overview

Strategic Objective: To ensure local government has effective practices and processes that protect and enhance the environment.

To support local government's many roles and responsibilities in environment management the MAV undertakes the following activities:

Review and analysis of environment policy to determine the implications for and actions required by local government;
High level policy liaison between federal, state and local government and other key stakeholders to develop strategic alliances and assist in improving the performance of local government in environment management;
Provision of policy advice and support across a broad range of policy areas relating to environmental sustainability to the Management Board of the MAV, CEO and local government;
Facilitation of discussion and action by the local government sector through coordination of and involvement in working parties, committees, briefings and discussion groups.

Current environment policy and program directions for the MAV include integrated urban water management, domestic wastewater, water quality and consumption management, adaptations to climate change, native vegetation, weeds, waste management and resource recovery, National Packaging Covenant & Towards Zero Waste implementation, landfill management, litter, illegal dumping of waste, catchment management and regional natural resource management, roadside conservation, sustainability in the built environment and sustainable public street lighting.

Further information on the role of local government in each of the MAV's environment policy areas is available by clicking on the links below:

Initiatives

Coastal Management

Councils located along Victoria’s coastline share responsibility for its management and have a role to play when issues arise, many of which relate to the environment. The MAV advocates for and assists all coastal councils including providing secretariat support to the Association of Bayside Municipalities (ABM)

Find out more about Coastal Management>

Energy

The need for greater efficiency in energy usage has become increasingly recognised as an urgent environmental concern particularly in relation to climate change. Local government is well-placed to help communities achieve reductions and to ensure maximum efficiency in energy use relating to their own operations and facilities – such as public street lighting.

Find out more about Energy>

Climate Change

Human-induced climate change represents a huge environmental challenge and local government has a crucial role to play in leading by example and educating the community, developing programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and developing and implementing adaption strategies.

Find out more about Atmosphere and Climate Change>

Forestry

Many Victorian councils preside over forested land, which is either State-managed or situated on private land. The MAV, through associations such as Timber Towns Victoria (TTV), provides a forum for councils to respond to the variety of issues they face in relation to forestry management.

Find out more about Forestry>

Green Purchasing

Local government in Victoria is showing its commitment to sustainability by ensuring purchasing habits take account of the environment. Green purchasing in councils, as well as businesses, is taking off under the guidance and support of the successful ECO-Buy program.

Find out more about Green Purchasing>

Natural Resource Management

Local government makes a significant contribution to the management and protection of Victoria’s natural resources through statutory roles and non-statutory activities.

Find out more about Natural Resource Management>

Environmental Sustainabilty

Local government has a key role to play in promoting environmental sustainability and taking action that sees the concept incorporated into everyday life. Steps toward this are part of the Local Agenda 21 model and the MAV is helping to push the sustainability agenda further through various council networks, showcase forums and other initiatives.

Find out more about Enviromental Sustainability>

Waste Management & Resouce Efficiency

Councils have responsibility for the delivery of domestic waste management services as well as ensuring communities are well-informed and ‘waste-wise’. Reduction in waste, as part of the local government sustainability agenda, is being pursued through improved resource recovery and efforts to maximise resource use.

Find out more about Waste Management & Resource Efficiency>

Water Resource Management

Local government has certain responsibilities and an active interest in issues around the management of water – whether it be drinking water, domestic wastewater, stormwater, greywater or water in another form. The MAV and councils are involved in a number of initiatives to ensure effective management of this precious resource throughout Victoria.

Find out more about Water Resource Management>

Resources

Environment project and initiative specific resources can be found on individual pages throughout this section of the website. All key and general resources for Environment can be viewed at the Environment Resources Page.
Go to the Environment Resources page>

MAV Sustainability Website

The Sustainability Website provides access to a library of information for local government regarding sustainability in the natural and built environments and within council operations, and established under the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord. You can share your council’s work, processes and reports, pitfalls and achievements. You can use the information contained in the library to be more effective in progressing your own council’s sustainability initiatives.