Council is inviting the community to participate in two opportunities to have their say – a review of the new draft Environment Strategy 2019-2027, and a community survey that will feed into a new Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.
Cr Helena Kirby, Mayor of Golden Plains Shire, says these are two very important opportunities for members of our community to provide meaningful input to help shape how Council makes future decisions.
“Council genuinely wants to hear from our residents about their thoughts on our new draft Environment Strategy, and about how they currently manage their waste, which will inform the future of waste management in Golden Plains Shire.
“Ultimately we want to protect our beautiful, diverse environments as best we can, and best practice Strategies, like the draft Environment Strategy and upcoming Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy, will help us do that.
“Community input will have a real and genuine influence on these vital documents and I encourage everyone to make sure they have their say,” she said.
The draft Environment Strategy 2019-2027
In late 2017, Council began a process of developing a new, progressive and impactful Environment Strategy. It involved a comprehensive and successful community engagement process, including online survey, strategic stakeholder workshops, traditional owner workshop, community engagement workshops, online ‘Have Your Say’ consultation page and community conversation posts.
Out of the community feedback, and from a literature and best practice review, the draft Strategy was produced; a document strongly aligned to the Council Plan, reflecting the capabilities of a rural Shire with dispersed communities.
The Strategy includes five Strategic Directions, including 16 themes, targets, key implementation mechanisms and key performance indicators. The Strategic Directions are:
- Environmentally connected communities
- Greener economies
- Thriving natural environments
- Sustainable urban and rural design
- Council leadership.
Council invites the community to view the draft Strategy online and provide comment via a written submissions by 28 October 2018. Print copies will be on request.
Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy kicks off with a community survey
Council has committed to develop a Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy in the 2018-19 financial year, and a community survey is the first step in community consultation that will contribute to the Strategy.
The survey has been included with the October Gazette to ensure all residents can share how they currently manage their waste, which will help shape the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy, but is also available online.
Developing the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy
The aim of the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy will be to guide Council in providing environmentally, economically and socially sustainable waste management services across the municipality. Council will develop a ten-year Strategy in line with the Council Plan, which aims to further reduce the volume of waste going to landfill and explore innovative waste management and resource recovery mechanisms through regional partnerships.
The final Strategy will clearly set out reduction targets and actions that ultimately deliver a reduction in waste, while ensuring community needs and priorities are understood and used to inform our decision making process.
Following collation of survey results, a Draft Consultation Paper will be developed and available for the community to provide their feedback. Feedback will be able to be submitted electronically, in hard copy or by attending a conversation post during April and May 2019 in Bannockburn, Rokewood, Meredith and Smythesdale.
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High resolution image available on request
Released by: Eric Braslis, CEO, Golden Plains Shire Council
Media contact: Ann Card, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council
P. 5220 7147 │ E. [email protected]
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