Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan

Draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Draft Climate Change Action Plan

Council acknowledges its communities are facing a global climate change and biodiversity crisis, one that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local councils.

The draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023-2033 will be Council’s roadmap to guide its actions for the next ten years to ensure that we protect and enhance our environment and take appropriate action to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate and create resilient and sustainable communities.

The draft Climate Change Action Plan includes a range of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, waste reduction and recycling, and sustainable transport. The Plan also includes initiatives aimed at building resilience to climate change impacts, such as emergency management planning, land use planning reforms, urban greening, and biodiversity conservation programs. 

The draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023-2033 and draft Climate Change Action Plan have been developed in consultation with the community, businesses, stakeholders and agencies from across the municipality. Council staff and Councillors have also been consulted and their feedback has been incorporated into the draft documents. The documents are on public exhibition up to Friday 7 July 2023 with the community invited to provide feedback. 

View the Draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023-2033(PDF, 43MB)

View the Draft Climate Change Action Plan(PDF, 5MB)

To provide your feedback, please complete our survey via the link or via one of the communication channels listed below:

Link to survey

Submissions

Any person wishing to make a submission on the Draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Draft Climate Change Action Plan must lodge the submission in writing by 5pm on Friday 7 July 2023. 

Online:

Post: Written submissions should be addressed to Colac Otway Shire Council - Draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan, PO Box 283, Colac VIC 3250.  

Email: Submissions may also be submitted by email to inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au with the subject line being Draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan.

Please state in your written submission if you wish to be heard at a Submissions Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 6 September 2023.

Submitters should note that unless a submitter requests to the contrary, copies of submissions (including the submitter’s name) may also be included in the Council meeting agenda, which are a permanent public record, and published on Council’s website for an indefinite period.

Council will meet to formally consider the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan at a future Council meeting.

Any person requiring further information concerning any of the documents or the making of a written submission should contact Council on (03) 5232 9400.