Environment & water
Victorian councils undertake a range of activities in order to protect and enhance their local environment, to reduce energy use and emissions, and to adapt to a changing climate.
We recognise that:
- we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local councils
- human induced climate change stands in the first rank of threats to humans, civilisation and other species
- it is still possible to restore a safe climate and prevent most of the anticipated long-term climate impacts – but only if societies across the world adopt an emergency mode of action that can enable the restructuring of the physical economy at the necessary scale and speed
- we have a particular role in assisting local governments in this regard.
Current priorities
We support councils’ environmental activities and objectives through policy analysis, advice and advocacy, project support and management, and by building collaborative relationships with other levels of government and key stakeholders.
Current areas of focus include:
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Circular economy and recycling system reforms
- Environment protection reforms
- Rural drainage and stormwater management reforms
- Marine and coastal strategy.
Current projects
- Melbourne urban stormwater institutional arrangements review
- On-site domestic wastewater management – Victorian Land Capability Assessment Framework
MAV-hosted organisations
We host and support two local government associations that are focused on achieving positive environmentally sustainable outcomes in the built enviornment (CASBE) and for Port Phillip Bay (ABM).
For more information visit:
- Association of Bayside Municipalities (ABM)
- Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE)
Submissions and briefs
On behalf of the local government sector, we prepare submissions and briefs on a range of environment-related topics.
Our publicly available submissions are available on the MAV submissions page.
Victorian councillors and council staff can also access member-only information on our Members Only Environment Page.
Committees and reference groups
We represent local government on numerous high-level advisory and reference groups, including the:
- Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Reference Group
- Container Deposit Scheme Advisory Group
- Electric Line Clearance Consultative Committee
- Melbourne Water Healthy Waterways Strategy Advisory Group.
We also convene a number of committees and working groups to help inform our work and build capacity within the sector, including:
Resources
- Find out about future MAV environment events on our upcoming events page.
- You can access environment-related presentations from past events on our Members Only past event presentations page.
Further information
Engage with us
Claire Dunn
Manager – Built and Natural Environment
Emlyn Breese
Senior Policy Adviser – Built and Natural Environment
James McLean
Senior Policy Adviser – Built and Natural Environment