State of Environment Report

2009

What is the State of Environment report?..........................................................................2

Why do a State of Environment report?.............................................................................2

What does it cover?...............................................................................................................2

Indicators................................................................................................................................ 2

Overview.................................................................................................................................3

Biodiversity.............................................................................................................................5

Biodiversity Conservation.................................................................................................5

Roadside Vegetation Conservation...............................................................................22

Soils and sustainable agriculture...................................................................................29

Waterway Health............................................................................................................. 33

Water.....................................................................................................................................45

Community Water Conservation....................................................................................45

Domestic Wastewater Management.............................................................................47

Energy...................................................................................................................................52

Community Energy Conservation..................................................................................52

Transport Infrastructure..................................................................................................56

Waste Statistics................................................................................................................... 60

Community........................................................................................................................... 64

Community participation.................................................................................................64

Council operations...............................................................................................................70

Water management.........................................................................................................70

Energy Management.......................................................................................................76

Fleet...................................................................................................................................82

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What is the State of Environment report?

It provides an accurate picture of the state of the environment, environmental trends

and environmental resources within Nillumbik.

Why do a State of Environment report?

It allows us to make informed decisions when developing responses to

environmental pressures.

What does it cover?

1. Biodiversity

2. Water

3. Energy

4. Waste Statistics

5. Community

6. Council Operations.

Indicators

Indicators help us understand our current position, the direction we are heading, and

how far we are from where we want to be. Indicators have been identified for each of

the key themes listed above.

By analysing these trends, we can focus our resources to prevent further

environmental deterioration, assess how useful the current efforts are in protecting

our environment, and help guide distribution of resources in the future.

State - Pressure - Response Model

The report uses a model of State-Pressure-Response, which is consistent with all

levels of government's reporting methods. The model is designed to show the effect

of human activities on the environment.

State - How is it now?

The state is the current condition of the environment. Indicators of state describe the

quality of the environment at a particular moment in time. Monitoring of state

indicators reflect temporal changes in the condition of the environment due to human

impacts and managerial responses. They register changes in the environment,

reflecting the impact of the pressures and/or effectiveness of the responses.2

Pressure - Human impacts

Pressures are human activities that impact either positively or negatively on the

environment to influence its state.

Response - Actions to improve

These are the actions Council, government agencies, industry and the community

are undertaking to deal with the pressures and improve the “state” of the

environment. Where possible, the report references:

Management plans relating to the environment (e.g. environmental

management systems).

Special Council projects relating to the environment (e.g. education programs

on biodiversity awareness, water conservation and waste minimisation).

Monitoring the environmental impact of Council’s activities (e.g. installation of

photovoltaic systems).

Overview

We have a broad range of responses to pressures on the state of the

environment within Nillumbik. This includes the application of planning controls,

local laws, development and implementation of environmental strategies,

community education, and community engagement in positive environmental

action.

Nillumbik has a unique and diverse range of plants, animals and ecosystems

which are highly significant in a state-wide context. Although biodiversity

projects and programs are protecting and improving components of the natural

environment, overall the pressures on biodiversity are resulting in an overall

decline.

Over the last ten years there has been a 26.5 per cent residential and 70 per

cent non-residential reduction in mains water use. This is due in part to water

restrictions, but considerable savings have been achieved through the use of

alternative water supplies for road grading works, installation of water tanks and

use of warm season grasses and sub-surface irrigation on sports ovals.

We have undertaken considerable work to retrofit buildings with energy efficient

lights and fittings, replaced all streetlighting under our control (with lights that

are two-thirds more efficient) and installed solar panels on many buildings. This

has substantially reduced the energy that would have otherwise been used, but

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there has still been an overall increase in energy use due to new facilities and

services since 2007/08. Fuel use has also increased since 2010/11. It is

important that increased efforts are made to reduce energy and greenhouse

gas production.

There is an increasing issue with the operation of septic tank systems with an

estimated 50 per cent of systems failing. It is anticipated that this will be

significantly addressed by the provision of Yarra Valley Water to reticulated

sewerage to a substantial area of North Warrandyte in the next few years.

The amount of waste produced in Nillumbik is increasing. However, the amount

of waste diverted from landfill will increase in 2013 with the introduction of a

new process for dealing with green waste.

A large number of Nillumbik residents are involved in activities to protect and

improve the environment. For example, there are 10 Landcare groups in the

Shire, 17 Friends groups operating on Council reserves and many others

involved in local food or greenhouse issues and the like. However, a continued

effort by us and the community is required to increase participation and improve

behaviours of all residents.

Of the 479 hectares of bushland and wetland reserves that Council has

responsibility for, approximately 193 hectares is under the active management

of Friends Groups (40 per cent).

Some 85.5 per cent of the actions in Council’s environment strategies are either

completed, in progress or on target.

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BiodiversityHuman beings are dependent for their sustenance, health, wellbeing and enjoyment

of life on biodiversity. Biodiversity is the basis for much of our recreation and tourism

and includes the ecosystems which provide us with many services such as clean

water. This section applies the State, Pressure Response Model to Biodiversity and

the topics within Biodiversity listed below.

Biodiversity ConservationThe Shire of Nillumbik supports a diverse array of species and their habitats,

spanning the tall Manna Gum forests on the Yarra River, grasslands on the Plenty

River, alluvial plains and terraces, incised creek lines and dry valleys nestled

amongst skeletal sedimentary hills up to the Kinglake Plateau on the Great Dividing

Range. There are 84 identified ‘BioSites’ (sites of biodiversity significance) in the

Shire. 12 are of national significance, 33 are of state significance, 38 are of regional

significance and one is of local significance.

State

At a glance

Melbourne 2030 identifies the Nillumbik Green Wedge (Figure 1) as being of

social, economic and environmental value because of the following features:

o environmental and landscape quality (particularly the Yarra River and

surrounds)

o river red gums and other habitat areas

o national parks

o metropolitan water storages.

The Shire of Nillumbik supports a diverse array of species and their habitats,

spanning the tall Manna Gum forests on the Yarra River, grasslands on the

Plenty River, alluvial plains and terraces, incised creek lines and dry valleys

nestled amongst skeletal sedimentary hills up to the Kinglake Plateau on the

Great Dividing Range.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) has identified

84 ‘BioSites’ (sites of biodiversity significance) in the Shire. 12 are of national

significance, 33 are of state significance, 38 are of regional significance and

one is of local significance.

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The Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 - Sites of Faunal and

Habitat Significance (ESO1) planning control is applied to 61 per cent of the

Shire. In addition, the following planning scheme zones support the protection

of biodiversity in Nillumbik; Public Park and Recreation Zone, Public

Conservation and Resource Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Green Wedge

Zone, Special Use Zone and Urban Floodway Zone.

The NEROC Report (Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East

Melbourne (Beardsell, 1997)) identified within the Shire:

o 65 sites of faunal significance (20,856.54 ha)

o 70 sites of flora significance (18,981.11 ha).

This unique area packs in approximately 1,000 indigenous flora species, 64 of

which are listed significant species. Many of these are delicate terrestrial

orchids, including some not found anywhere else. Supporting and often relying

upon these plants is an equally impressive array of 342 indigenous fauna

species, 63 of which are listed significant species including the distinctive

Brush-tailed Phascogale, Lace Monitor, Bandicoot, Sugar Glider, Wedge-tailed

Eagle, Eltham Copper Butterfly and Platypus. Kangaroos remain a relatively

common resident, and a myriad of native birds frequent even the most urban

backyard.

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Figure 1: Nillumbik Green Wedge

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There are 14 nationally threatened species, nine migratory species and one

threatened ecological community listed for protection under the Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Of the EPBC Act listed

species found within the Shire, six flora species and three fauna species have

National Recovery Plans (special profile and threats database on Australian

Government website).

There are also 42 species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act

1998 (FFG Act) and 120 listed by DEPI as rare or threatened in Victoria, all of

which have been identified as resident or reliant upon habitats that occur within

the Shire at some time. A total of four FFG Act listed flora species and 19 FFG

Act listed fauna species have approved Action Statements (DSE website).

These species include:

o Rosella Spider-orchid (Caladenia rosella)

o Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)

o Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae)

o Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)

o Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta)

o Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)

o Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa)

o Eltham Copper Butterfly (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida)

Intact Vegetation by land tenureThe Department of Environment and Primary Industries has assessed native

vegetation across land tenure. Approximately 20,000 ha of remnant native

vegetation still remains within the Shire. The following graph provides the percentage

of intact vegetation by land tenure in Nillumbik (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Percentage of intact vegetation by land tenure in Nillumbik

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Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC)In Victoria, native vegetation in Victoria is classified according to Ecological

Vegetation Classes (EVCs). Each EVC has a Bioregional Conservation Status

according to the degree of depletion in its extent and/or quality (see Figure 7). DSE

revised and updated the Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs in November

2007 following revised native vegetation mapping.

EVC mapping shows approximately 46 per cent of the Shire (19,686 ha) supports

remnant native vegetation of varying condition. The main EVCs in the Shire are:

Grassy Dry Forest (least concern)

Valley Grassy Forest (vulnerable)

Heathy Dry Forest (least concern)

Herb-rich Foothill Forest (least concern).

Although most of these classes are listed as least concern, much of the Grassy Dry

Forest within the Shire is of the Box-stringybark Woodland floristic community, which

is regionally vulnerable to endangered). Small areas of other EVCs also exist in the

Shire including:

Box-Ironbark Forest (vulnerable)

Gully Woodland (vulnerable)

Riparian Forest (vulnerable)

Plains Grassy Woodland (endangered)

Creekline Herb-rich Woodland (endangered)

Swampy Riparian Complex (endangered).

Figure 7: Conservation Status of EVCs in Nillumbik (ha)

Area of land protected with on-title agreements within Nillumbik Shire:

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2,749.55 ha of land is protected under a Trust for Nature Conservation

Covenant

3,906.6 ha of land is protected with a Section 173 agreement

No areas of land are protected under Section 69 agreements under the

Conservation Forests and Land Act 1987 through the State Government’s

BushBroker scheme.

Native vegetation removalCouncil undertook aerial photography interpretation to compare the difference in

cover of native vegetation between 2007 and 2009 across the Shire. The process

involved comparing 2007 and 2009 aerial photographs of Nillumbik Shire in MapInfo

GIS program. The Shire was gridded up and each grid was analysed by switching

between both aerial photos.

If a change was detected it was further scrutinised and if vegetation clearance was

evident then a polygon was drawn around it (see Figure 8). Where vegetation had

been lost, these properties were queried using Council’s database for monitoring

planning permit applications to see if Council had issued a planning permit for

vegetation removal. This assessment did not make allowances for clearance

resulting from permitted fire prevention purposes as the 10/30 rule allowing this was

introduced after the aerial photography was taken. If no planning permit is

associated with the property, then it is considered to be unauthorised clearing.

Figure 8: Permitted vegetation removal for a new dwelling following a VCAT decision

Between 2007 and 2009, within Nillumbik Shire, 156.9 ha was lost to clearing or

development (with and without an approved planning permit). During this period,

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approximately 68.8 ha of vegetation was lost to unauthorised clearing (without an

approved planning permit). Grassy Dry Forest (61.24 ha), Valley Grassy Forest

(39.68Ha) and Herb-rich Foothill Forest (19.12 ha) had the highest rate of clearance

(Figure 9).

During this particular analysis, Council did not look at the amount of naturally

regenerating vegetation or vegetation replanted by Landcare groups, Friends of

groups, other volunteers, landowners or Council. Clearing and vegetation losses

were the target of the analysis due to the short time frame allocated to the project.

This type of analysis is time consuming and requires the assessor to focus and

concentrate on any losses they observe whilst switching between aerial photographs

from each year. Council would need to do a second analysis of the amount of

revegetation or regeneration to determine the gains in native vegetation during this

time.

Figure 9: Area (ha) of each Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) removed between 2007 and 2009

Pressure

Increasing residential development

Habitat destruction, modification and fragmentation

Agricultural land use

Environmental weeds

Climate change

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Altered fire regimes

Increased clearing for fire prevention purposes

Exotic fauna

Soil compaction

Pathogens

Lack of understanding about ecological processes

Encroachment into areas of conservation significance

Altered water quality and flows

Small and isolated populations of threatened species

Erosion

Response

Nillumbik Biodiversity Strategy 2012

The Biodiversity Strategy provides the strategic direction for biodiversity

management across Nillumbik to inform programs, standards and targets for the

Shire. It also seeks to further develop a coordinated approach to ensure that

ecosystems are healthy, resilient, productive and connected across the landscape

for future generations. This document identifies threats to ecosystem functions and

opportunities to enhance and protect these functions.

Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan 2012-2015

Council created its Green Wedge Management Plan in 2010 in accordance with the

Victorian government’s 30-year planning framework, Melbourne 2030, introduced in

2002. The framework required each of Melbourne’s 12 Green Wedge Councils to

produce a Green Wedge Management Plan.

Nillumbik’s plan has seven aims the first of which is to ‘conserve and enhance the

natural values, landscapes and cultural heritage of the Nillumbik Green Wedge’. To

achieve this, the plan has 13 objectives under the groupings of Environment,

Economy, People and Communities, and Governance. The five Environment

objectives are all relevant to the protection of biodiversity within the Shire. They are:

Protect and enhance remnant vegetation

Protect and enhance sites of faunal and habitat significance

Protect and enhance catchments and manage water responsibly

Achieve sustainable land management

Conserve the landscapes of the Green Wedge for aesthetic, environmental and

cultural values. 12

Environment Advisory Committee

The Environmental Advisory Committee provides Council with a formal mechanism

to consult with key stakeholders, seek specialist advice and enable community

participation in environmental sustainability issues, initiatives, policies and strategies.

The committee comprises up to eight community representatives, selected to reflect

a range of interests, expertise and experience from across the Shire, as well as a

Councillor and council officers. The committee assists and advises Council regarding

key environmental and agricultural issues, provides a forum for dissemination to, and

consideration of information by, the local community, and assists in the preparation,

monitoring and review of environmental strategies and policies.

Conservation programs for rare and threatened species with in the Shire

A number of conservation programs for rare and threatened species exist within

Nillumbik Shire Council. Programs include management and monitoring works

undertaken by a range of individuals and groups including Parks Victoria,

Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Trust for Nature, Nillumbik Shire

Council, Friends of and Landcare Groups (see Table 1).

Table 1: Threatened species recovery in NillumbikProgram/Project Description

Nillumbik's Conservation Corridors Project Communities for Nature grant coordinated by Council and Nillumbik’s Landcare groups. It specifically focuses on management works to promote the protection and improvement of habitat for rare and threatened flora and fauna species. Nillumbik’s Conservation Corridors project promotes the preservation of biodiversity and habitat through the management of threatening processes within the Central and Eastern Habitat Corridors in the municipality.

Eltham Copper Butterfly (ECB) Recovery Committee

Coordinated by the DEPI Arthur Rhylah Institute, this committee operates under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act to protect and enhance populations of the ECB.

ECB Bringing back from the Brink: This program is coordinated by Nillumbik Shire Council, Parks Victoria, Friends of

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Program/Project Description

Communities for Nature

Project Governance Committee and Project Steering Committee

the Eltham Copper Butterfly, Eltham East Primary School, Friends of Woodridge Linear Reserve, DSE Arthur Rhylah and Latrobe University. It will undertake a range of on-ground works, monitoring and publicity to improve the habitat of the butterfly and to engage more of the community in its conservation.

Clover Glycine Recovery Project Council has been working on a Clover Glycine Recovery Project at Hohnes Hill and Meruka Park Reserves, which has involved monitoring populations, collecting seed for propagation and then working with Edendale to propagate the seed and the Friends of Karingal Yallock to plant it out.

Clover Glycine fencing – Parks Victoria Parks Victoria received a grant to build rabbit proof fencing at Morrisons Reserve to protect Clover Glycine.

Rosella Spider Orchid fencing - Council Council has rabbit proof fenced populations of Rosella Spider Orchid at Kalbar Reserve.

Rosella Spider Orchid fencing – Parks Victoria Parks Victoria has erected fencing around populations in One Tree Hill and Morrisons Reserve. Hand pollination is undertaken as required.

Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries have a Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring program and have been collecting DNA samples of dead/road-kill Phascogales.

Brush-tailed Phascogale – Kinglake Biolink Project

Parks Victoria commenced the Kinglake Biolink Project which was aimed at getting Phascogales back into Kinglake National Park following the fires.

Common Dunnart monitoring and recovery program

Abzeco have been setting up tile traps for Common Dunnarts and Cam Beardsell (Parks Victoria) has been undertaking a

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Program/Project Description

Dunnart recovery program in One Tree Hill for Parks Victoria.

Common Bent Wing Bat & Eastern Horseshoe Bat monitoring

Undertaken by Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment at One Tree Hill and Kinglake National Park

Wine-lipped Spider Orchid Program Program occurring in St Andrews (Dodd St Reserve), Boomers and One Tree Hill Reserves. Rabbit fences installed and hand pollination as required. Undertaken and coordinated by Parks Victoria.

Silurian Striped Greenhood orchid program One Tree Hill and Morrisons Reserves, cages and monitoring. Undertaken and coordinated by Parks Victoria.

Dianella amoena (Matted Flax-lily) fencing – Parks Victoria

St Andrews & Morrisons Reserve, rabbit proof fencing. Undertaken and coordinated by Parks Victoria.

Tawney Frogmouths monitoring Marian Weaving (from Deakin University and Friends of Swipers Gully) has been undertaking research into Tawney Frogmouths at a few reserves including Yarramie Reserve.

Australian Platypus Conservancy/Melbourne Water

The Conservancy and Melbourne Water have previously done a lot of work on researching populations of Platypus in Diamond Creek.

Amphibian Research Centre/Melbourne Water FrogWatch

Often have targeted Frog Watch programs for species such as Bibron's/Southern Toadlet which are quite rare.

Spot-tailed quoll monitoring Parks Victoria have set up remote sensing cameras to actively search for this species within One Tree Hill Reserve.

Orchid monitoring and propagation The Australian and Victorian orchid societies and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are active in the area monitoring

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Program/Project Description

and propagating orchids.

Round-leaf Pomaderris recovery program Parks Victoria have previously run a recovery program in Kinglake National Park.

Round-leaf Pomaderris management – Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria have done management works in Morrisons and One Tree Hill Reserves including rabbit proof fencing and burning regimes.

Planning Scheme

Council’s Planning Scheme includes a number of zones and overlays that contribute

to the protection of biodiversity by either prohibiting, or requiring a permit (with

conditions) for, the removal of native vegetation.

Most important of these are the Environmental Significance Overlays (ESOs) which

provide protection to Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance (ESO 1), the Yarra

River Environs (ESO2), the Plenty River Environs (ESO3) and Waterways in general

(ESO4). The ESO1 is the most significant planning control and applies to

approximately 61 per cent of the Shire. A review of ESO1 is approaching completion

that aims to include significant habitat areas that were excluded from the initial

mapping, to exclude some that no longer have significant biodiversity values and to

otherwise ensure that the mapping is accurate.

Significant Landscape Overlays also provide incidental protection to biodiversity by

protecting elements of habitat, including trees in particular.

In addition, the following Planning Scheme zones support the protection of

biodiversity in Nillumbik; Public Park and Recreation Zone, Public Conservation and

Resource Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Green Wedge Zone, Special Use Zone

and Urban Floodway Zone.

Land Management Incentive Program (LMIP)

Nillumbik’s Land Management Incentive Program offers flexible grants to support a

range of integrated land management activities for private landowners. Projects

relating to land within Green Wedge and Rural Conservation Zones or areas in or

adjoining land with an Environmental Significance Overlay will be given priority over

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others. There are three scales of grants available for activities on private land in

Nillumbik:

Small Scale Grants - up to $250

To assist individual landholders with small scale projects or individual education

activities where the over-all cost is unlikely to run into thousands of dollars.

Medium Scale Grants – between $250 and $2000

To assist individuals or groups of landholders working on strategic and well

planned projects, where the over-all project cost is expected to be in the vicinity

of one thousand dollars or above.

Community Action Group Support Grant - up to $15,000 per year with potential

for 3 years of funding.

To assist formal groups of landholders working collaboratively on large-scale

strategic land management projects affecting multiple properties. Applications

of this nature need to be consistent with actions listed in approved strategic

documents such as Catchment Management Plans and Biodiversity Plans.

In 2011-2012 the LMIP on private land achieved the following:

66 ha fenced to protect biodiversity

10 ha revegetated

Environmental Events program

Through the Environmental Events program, Council offers courses, talks, events

and workshops to assist residents in property management planning and enhancing

the natural values of their property. Courses and workshops cover a range of topics

including property management and whole farm planning. Property visits and guided

walks are conducted to appreciate the biodiversity assets of the Shire.

Website and publications

Council’s website provides information about pest plant and animal control, Green

Wedge management and other environmental issues. Council has a diversity of

publications on weeds, indigenous plants and animals and also has a number of

regular community publications about environmental issues such as the Nillumbik

News mailout and Fringe Focus email newsletter.

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Panton Hill Bushland Reserves Management Plan 2012

The Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System constitutes seven individual reserves

spanning 140 hectares of bushland in the Watsons Creek catchment near the

townships of Panton Hill and Smiths Gully.

The reserves are important for their exceptional and outstanding natural features.

They contain a number of different and significant vegetation communities, as well

as a diverse number of Victorian Rare and Threatened plant and animal species.

The Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan 2012 is the key

document which aims to manage the important conservation, social and recreation

values of the reserves.

Warrandyte to Kinglake Habitat Corridor Project - Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative

Co-funded by DSE and Council the Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative is a

four-year partnership program which seeks to adopt a ‘biosecurity approach’ to weed

control across the Kinglake to Warrandyte Habitat Corridor. The program involves

many stakeholders and land managers including Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne

Water, DSE, private landowners and community groups. The program adopts a

tenure-blind landscape-scale approach to weed control. Coordination across

property boundaries and the scale of the project will allow the project partners to:

prevent new weeds entering the corridor

contain the range of established weeds and prevent their dispersal into

environmentally significant areas

control established weeds strategically to protect the biodiversity values of the

corridor.

Council’s Bushland and Wetland Reserves

Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management of 90 bushland and

wetland reserves covering an area of more than 450 ha on both Council freehold

land and as the Committee of Management for Crown Land. The primary purpose of

these reserves is for the conservation of natural values, however they are also

important from a social, cultural and historical perspective. These reserves are home

to an array of native plants and animals, and often provide the last remaining refuges

for threatened and endangered species in a fragmented landscape.

Council’s Environmental Works Unit actively manages these reserves by undertaking

a range of works such as weed and rabbit control, species conservation, community

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engagement, fencing, trail maintenance and fuel reduction works to protect and

enhance their biodiversity and community values. Council, in conjunction with

Friends Groups has planted 8,863 plants in Council’s bushland and wetland reserves

in 2011-2012.

Friends and Landcare Groups

Council’s Environmental Works Unit currently supports 19 Friends groups. These

groups are spread throughout the Shire, and members predominantly undertake

agreed works on a specific Council-managed reserve, to help protect and enhance

the natural environment.

Council’s Environmental Planning Unit currently supports 10 active Landcare groups.

These groups undertake land management projects involving their communities

across the Shire. The groups successfully deliver a number of revegetation, weed

and rabbit control programs to protect and enhance natural resources on private

land.

Natural Environment Recovery Working Group

The Natural Environment Recovery Working Group consists of representatives from

Nillumbik Shire Council, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, and the Landcare groups

of Strathewen, St Andrews, Christmas Hills and Arthurs Creek. The purpose of the

group is to develop strategies that work towards a coordinated recovery of the

natural environment after the 2009 bushfires. They have organised field days and

workshops dealing with erosion control, pasture management, bush regeneration

and weed control. The group also actively seeks additional funds to support private

landowners with weed and erosion control, fencing and revegetation. Currently, they

have obtained funding for and are overseeing a project for the development of

Community Environmental Recovery Action Plans in the communities of Strathewen,

St Andrews and Christmas Hills.

Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria is the custodian of a diverse estate of significant parks in Victoria and

is also the recreational manager of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Yarra and

Maribyrnong Rivers.

These parks and reserves have a unique role. Unlike forests or private land they are

managed primarily for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, and most are

permanently reserved under legislation for this purpose. As such they form the

backbone of the state’s biodiversity conservation.19

Parks Victoria is responsible for parks within Nillumbik including:

Kinglake National Park (22,360 ha)

Warrandyte State Park (680 ha)

Yarra Valley Parkland (1,500 ha)

Plenty Gorge Parklands (1,350 ha)

Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Reserve (660Ha)

Smaller reserves such as Yarrambat Park, Boomers Reserve and the reserve

system around St Andrews.

Trust for Nature

Formerly known as the Victorian Conservation Trust, Trust for Nature’s mission is to

enable people to bequeath land or money for conservation and for the purchase of

Victoria’s threatened, privately owned bush.

Trust for Nature also works with landholders to voluntarily place conservation

covenants on their land, permanently protecting significant areas of natural bushland

for personal or offsetting purposes. Since 1989 Trust for Nature has also included a

service to buy important bushland, protect it with perpetual conservation covenants

and resell it so the funds can be re-used.

Trust for Nature own and manage two reserves within Nillumbik, Dunmoochin

conservation reserve in Cottles Bridge (6 ha) and Willis Nature Park in Smiths Gully

(50 ha). Trust for Nature also own the Western Colony Eltham Copper Butterfly

reserve in Eltham (1 ha) which is managed by Nillumbik Shire Council.

Melbourne Water

Melbourne Water - Water Supply Catchments and Land Management team manage

a number of reserves in the Shire. These are managed under the Christmas Hills

Land Management Plan, the Sugarloaf Reservoir Biodiversity Management Plan and

the Sugarloaf Place Plan (draft).

Melbourne Water is also the caretaker of river health in the Port Phillip and

Westernport region and has the responsibility for management of creeks and rivers,

floodplains and the regional drainage system.

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Roadside Vegetation ConservationNillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of

approximately 1,200 kilometres of rural roadsides. Significant areas of native

vegetation remain on roadsides in the Shire. Roadside vegetation has multiple

values associated with ecological and environmental functions as well as its role in

defining local character and landscape amenity.

State

At a glance

Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of

approximately 1,200 kilometres of rural roadsides.

Significant areas of native vegetation remain on roadsides in the Shire.

Roadside vegetation has multiple values associated with ecological and

environmental functions as well as its role in defining local character and

landscape amenity. Much of this native vegetation occurs in relatively

undeveloped areas of the municipality where blocks of private land are larger or

where adjacent land is Crown land or in various types of reserves. Often in

these areas there has been less historical clearing and disturbance and roads

are often unsealed and comparatively narrow.

The Ecological Vegetation Classes most commonly found on roadsides within

the Shire are approximately consistent with those Ecological Vegetation

Classes most commonly occurring in the Shire including, from most to least

common:

o Grassy Dry Forest

o Valley Grassy Forest

o Herb-rich Foothill Forest

o Heathy Dry Forest

o Riparian Forest

The results of the 2010 roadside vegetation mapping are detailed in Table 1

and shown in comparison to the 2005 results. So as to better use resources, it

was determined in 2010 to simplify and refine the assessment methods, so

direct comparisons between 2010 and earlier assessments are difficult to

make.

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Table 1: 2010 Conservation Value Assessment Scoring Review

2010 New Categories

Score Lineal km 2005 Categories

Equivalent score

Lineal km

High (A) 15+ or

contains

Endangered

EVC

375.99 A Very High 21+ 82.29

High (A) 15+ or

contains

Endangered

EVC

375.99 B High 17-20 154.86

Medium (B) 8-14 and

>25%

indigenous

understorey

172.78 C Moderate 12-16 314.99

Medium-Low

(C)

8-14 and

<25%

indigenous

understorey or

if not

reassessed

was previously

mapped as

moderate-low

400.63 D Moderate-

Low

3-11 416.99

Low (D) 1-7 and

medium

adjusted

likewise or if

not

reassessed

was previously

mapped as

low

241.34 E Low 1-3 225.94

Table 2 compares the variation in roadside assessment scores used in the 1997,

2005 and 2010 assessments.

22

Table 2: Roadside Conservation Value Comparison of Results 1997, 2005 and 2010Categories 1997 Lineal km 2005 Lineal km 2010 Lineal km

A) Very High 21+ 83.76 82.29 58.27*

B) High 17-20 156.99 154.86 209.77*

C) Moderate 12-16 428.68 314.99* 237.42*

D) Moderate-Low 3-11

323.50 416.99* 460.55

E) Low 1-3 217.86 225.94 224.74

Total 1210.79 1195.07 1190.74

* Indicates categories which were reassessed during each review.

There are number of factors that may account for changes in scoring across the

years. Major factors likely to have impacted are the effects of fire, seasonal timing

and climatic conditions at the time of assessment. Assessment in 2010 was mostly

undertaken during late-winter and spring, which is the optimal time for observing

flora.

Furthermore, the wetter conditions in 2010 than in previous assessment years is also

likely to resulted in increased growth and flowering further aiding observation.

Conversely, weed growth would have also been favoured so otherwise dry soils that

may contain indigenous vegetation may have supported dense growth of weedy

annual grasses and other herbs.

For instance, a substantial decline in Very High sections is evident in the 2010

assessment; rather than assuming that vegetation condition has declined over the

years since 1997, it is highly likely that a major cause of this is the effect of fire and

climatic conditions at the time of assessment. For instance, fire would have removed

canopy cover and some of the older trees with hollows may also have been burnt or

removed for safety concerns, litter levels reduced and weed cover and soil

disturbance through erosion increased. These changes would have negatively

impacted scoring, although future recovery of these areas is likely.

This reduction in the scores of roadsides of Very High Conservation Value has led to

an increase in High Value Roadsides, as they have dropped down a category. It is

23

also possible that some of the previously assessed Moderate roadsides may have

increased to become High due to increase regeneration of woody species from fire.

Once again, optimal survey timing may have also revealed additional native species,

including orchids and lilies that may have been absent during previous assessments,

also affecting results. Conversely, weed invasion post fire and loss of other values,

may have also resulted in the decrease of some Moderate roadsides to Moderate-

Low.

While care was taken to use consistent methodology with previous years, variation

amongst assessors is also likely to have affected results. Due to the coarse nature of

the assessment methodology as categories become smaller, more variation is likely

to occur due to factors such as fire, season, climatic conditions and assessor

variability. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the potential for variations

particularly if the scoring system is broken down into smaller categories.

There are a number of rare or vulnerable plants on Nillumbik roadsides and they

include:

Name Picture

Velvet Apple-berry

(Billardiera scandens s.s)

Wine-lipped Spider-orchid

(Caladenia oenochila)

24

Name Picture

Rosemary Grevillea

(Grevillea rosmarinifolia

subsp. rosmarinifolia)

Round-leaf Pomaderris

(Pomaderris vacciniifolia)

Pressure

Weeds

Pest animals

Road maintenance and development

Utility installation and maintenance

Recreational trail development

Erosion and sediment control

Firewood collection

Fuel reduction works

Hazardous tree removal

Response

Roadside Management Plan 2012

The Roadside Management Plan 2012 has been prepared to identify the unique

value of roadsides within the Shire and respond to the management issues

associated with maintaining these values in a context of the proper function of the

roads and their reserves and the associated utility networks. Nillumbik Shire Council

developed its first Roadside Management Plan in 1997. The Country Fire Authority,

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (then DNRE), Service

25

Authorities, Friends Groups, community members and Council staff provided input to

its preparation.

This revision of the Roadside Management Plan aimed to focus the Plan on the

major pressures, impacts and management issues of roadsides within the current

legislative and policy context and with the assistance of community sector comment.

The plan provides a series of operational guidelines for Council staff, contractors,

utilities, other agencies and the community which outline best management practices

for managing roadsides to protect and enhance the significant values of roadsides.

The plan also outlines training, development and raising community awareness of

the values of roadsides.

Wildlife Crossings

Death or mortality from road traffic is a major threat to a wide range of native fauna,

including marsupials such as kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, and possums and

also echidnas, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects. Collision with wildlife also has

potential for disastrous consequences for drivers and passengers. Roads can act as

significant barriers to movement across the landscape for many fauna species.

Management and implementation of wildlife crossings can play a significant role in

reducing barriers to movement and risk of mortality for native fauna, while also

increasing road safety for humans.

Figure 1: Wildlife crossing installed at Wattletree Road Bridge, Eltham

26

Nillumbik Roadside Weed Control Program

Using an asset and threat prioritisation process and applying the biosecurity

approach (Figure 2), Council has developed broad weed management objectives for

roadside weed control (see Figure 3). These broad weed management objectives

are used as the basis for setting specific weed management objectives and actions.

Works within these broad objectives are prioritised based on:

the impact of a weed on biodiversity/conservation values

the contribution of the weed to the fire hazard of the roadside

complementary work on adjoining land

customer complaints/requests

the amenity value of controlling the weed.

Figure 2: Biosecurity Approach (source: UFWMI Operational Plan 2012)

Figure 3: Roadside management plan broad weed management objectives.

27

Pest Animals

Through pest animal control programs, Council aims to minimise the impacts of pest

animals on roadsides through appropriate and effective integrated methods that

minimise impacts on remnant vegetation and native wildlife habitat. This includes:

Minimising disturbance to remnant vegetation and native wildlife habitat with

particular care given to High and Medium Conservation Significant Roadsides.

Working with adjoining landowners to implement coordinated pest animal

control programs.

Consulting relevant pest animal action plans and advice from the Department

of Primary Industries.

Soils and sustainable agricultureThere are approximately 200 active agribusinesses in the Nillumbik Green Wedge,

which provide important local food production, support biodiversity, landscape

management and cultural values. Agriculture occupies 20 per cent of the total

Nillumbik Green Wedge land area.

StateAt a glance

28

The Nillumbik Green Wedge is zoned Rural and is a mixture of Rural

Residential (including some land zoned Low Density Residential) and hobby

farms (together making up 47 per cent of the green wedge); vacant land (6 per

cent); agriculture (20 per cent); conservation areas (20 per cent) and recreation

land within the conservation areas (6 per cent).

208 properties receive a Farm Rate and 76 of these properties receive the

Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (see below).

In late 2011, Council appointed an Agricultural Advisory Committee to

undertake a review of the Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (SAR) and other

agricultural issues in the Shire.

Pressure Pasture quality

Waterway health

Erosion

Fire

Pest plants

Pest animals

Climate change

Change in landuse patterns

ResponsePlanning Scheme

The Nillumbik Planning Scheme recognises and protects agricultural land through

the rural zones.

Nillumbik Farm Rate

In accordance with Section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960, a farm

classification applies to a property that is more than two (2) hectares, and is being

used as a business with significant and substantial commercial purpose or character

which seeks to make a profit on a continuous or repetitive basis that is used primarily

for:

grazing (including agistment)

pig farming

fish farming

bee-keeping

horticulture

29

dairying

poultry farming

tree farming

viticulture

crop growing (of any kind)

Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (SAR)

The SAR offers a council rate rebate for landowners undertaking works that will

improve land and water resources and reduce the possibility of land degradation. It

aims to:

encourage sustainable land management practices

encourage the retention of larger rural land holdings

protect and enhance the natural environment

protect and enhance the rural landscape character

Over the past year, the Agricultural Advisory Committee has reviewed the SAR

application and assessment process. As a result, Council have developed an options

paper outlining several scenarios for extending the SAR to smaller farm-rated

properties and linking the SAR application and assessment process to the

development of a Property Management Plan for each property. The new process

will need ratification by Council in early 2013.

Land Management Incentive Program

The Land Management Incentive Program for 2012-2013 offers flexible grants to

support a range of integrated land management activities for private landowners.

Projects relating to land within Green Wedge and Rural Conservation Zones or areas

in or adjoining land with an Environmental Significance Overlay will be given priority

over others. Significant environmental benefit would need to be demonstrated for

any project outside these areas.

Green Wedge Management Plan Implementation Committee

In 2012 Council established the Green Wedge Management Plan Implementation

Committee. The objectives of the Committee are to:

check the progress of the GWMP implementation

provide coordination, liaison and communication with other Council advisory

groups and key external stakeholders

provide a source of expertise to call upon as required.

30

Agricultural Advisory Committee

Council’s Agricultural Advisory Committee was appointed in December 2011 to

assist Council on key issues relating to agriculture in the Nillumbik Shire. The

Committee consists of nine members of the community, and two Councillors. Council

staff from the Environmental Services Unit also attend the meetings and assist the

Committee. The objectives of the Committee are:

To assist and advise Council regarding the policies and programs that relate to

agriculture in the Shire

To provide a forum for discussion of sustainable agricultural production

including its definition.

To raise the profile of agriculture in Nillumbik Shire Council and the role it plays

for the Green Wedge both as a food source and as the “lungs of Melbourne”.

To identify and support the development of agricultural opportunities within the

Shire.

To support and promote links with projects such as Community Supported

Agriculture and Local Food Connect

To assess the effectiveness of the Sustainable Agricultural Rebate and

consider the development of a more effective approach if need be.

Landcare support

Nillumbik’s Landcare Groups play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of

our unique landscape. They are also a valuable resource of practical support and

knowledge to landowners, especially new landowners. Council therefore values

these Landcare Groups and aims to provide programs to complement and support

the essential role that they perform in the Shire. Councils Land Management

Incentive Program includes the Community Action Group Support Grant of up to

$15,000 per year with potential for 3 years of funding. These grants are to assist

formal groups of landholders working collaboratively on large-scale strategic land

management projects affecting multiple properties, which are common to Landcare

Groups.

The Natural Environment Recovery Working Group (NERWG) was formed in

response to the 2009 bushfires. It brought together representatives of local Landcare

groups, Nillumbik Shire Council, Melbourne Water, and Parks Victoria, and focused

on coordinating land and environmental recovery on private land in the fire-affected

parts of the shire. A key project for the three fire-affected communities of

31

Strathewen, St Andrews and Christmas Hills, has been the development of

Community Environmental Recovery Action Plans (CERAPs) for each community.

Nillumbik Landcare Facilitator

NERWG has now identified the need to transition into a Nillumbik-wide network of

Landcare groups who are focused on sustainable land and biodiversity management

on privately-owned, rural land.

NERWG has received a $194,388 share of the Victorian Government’s $12 million

Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative grant to provide local Landcare support

up to June 2015. The Victorian Government has provided the funding for local

Landcare groups to contribute to the salaries of facilitators who will support the work

of local Landcare communities to protect, enhance and restore our natural

environment and to work towards becoming self-supporting. The Nillumbik Landcare

Facilitator started in August 2012 and is hosted by the Environmental Planning Team

at Nillumbik Shire Council.

Environmental Events

Nillumbik Shire Council runs an annual program of environmental workshops, talks

and events to enable people to learn and share ideas on various environmental

topics. Topics relating to agriculture include:

property management planning

weed walks and talks

rabbit control field days

ACUP

Chilean Needle Grass eradication project

This assistance program aims to target strategically the control of Chilean Needle

Grass (CNG) (a weed of national significance) on selected private properties in order

to limit and reduce the further spread across Nillumbik Shire. The Program provides

funding towards contractor-based on-ground CNG treatment and assists landholders

to develop a CNG control action plan.

Waterway HealthThe Shire of Nillumbik is situated in the Yarra catchment and includes frontages to

the Yarra River, Diamond Creek, Watsons Creek and the Plenty River. The quality of

the catchments and tributaries vary throughout the Shire, depending on the land use

and population levels. Typically, the northern areas of the Shire are characterised by

32

forested catchments of the Kinglake Ranges and small fast flowing streams. As the

terrain becomes less mountainous, larger creeks meander through mainly

agricultural areas and bushland, where the main land use is grazing. Further south

the catchments are largely residential, characterised by urban development and

areas of open space abutting the major waterways.

State

At a Glance

The Shire of Nillumbik is situated in the Yarra catchment and includes frontages

to the Yarra River, Diamond Creek, Watsons Creek and the Plenty River.

The quality of the catchments and tributaries vary throughout the Shire,

depending on the land use and population levels.

Typically, the northern areas of the Shire are characterised by forested

catchments of the Kinglake Ranges and small fast flowing streams. As the

terrain becomes less mountainous, larger creeks meander through mainly

agricultural areas and bushland, where the main land use is grazing. Further

south the catchments are largely residential, characterised by urban

development and areas of open space abutting the major waterways.

In Nillumbik the major waterways form important riparian habitat corridors of

significant conservation and recreational value.

Water quality in all the Nillumbik waterways is impacted by runoff from adjacent

land uses and in some sections, the discharge of sewage effluent.

After the fires of 2009, the Arthurs, Diamond and Watsons Creeks were

significantly impacted by high water flows and sediment. Erosion continues to

be an issue in the catchments.

The following pages provide information on the condition of Nillumbik’s main

waterways.

Index of Stream ConditionThe Index of Stream Condition (ISC) is an integrated measure of river health and

has five components (sub-indices):

Hydrology

Physical form

Streamside zone

Water quality

Aquatic life 33

Each of the components is given a score between 0 and 10 based on the

assessment of a number of indicators. The overall ISC score is the sum of the

subindex scores and is between 0 and 50; the higher scores indicating better

condition.

The following maps are the result of assessments undertaken by Melbourne Water.

It can be seen that there are highly variable results across Nillumbik’s waterways.

This information will be used by the various agencies to determine priorities for work

across the catchments.

Overall, the condition of the major waterways in Nillumbik range from Very Poor to

Good. The upper reaches of the Arthurs Creek, Dry Creek and Running Creek are all

in good condition, with the condition becoming moderate further downstream. The

Plenty River and upper reaches of the Yarra River have been given an overall

Stream Condition rating of Poor to Very Poor.

Each of the major rivers and creeks in Nillumbik have been assessed against the

sub-indices as follows:

The Hydrology Sub-index has 5 indicators:

Variability

34

High flow

Low flow

Zero flow

Seasonality

The Hydrology sub-index involved the collection of a large amount of data. This

included data on monthly streamflow (both current and natural). The derivation of

this data took into consideration the impacts of all rural and urban demands (at the

current level of development), private diverters, and farm dams. Streamflow data

was required to determine current and unimpacted or natural flows for each site. This

data was derived from gauged records, streamflow models or rainfall runoff models

developed for previous studies. Where no gauged data or model data was available

for a particular site, it was transposed from another comparable site for which

information was available. A minimum of 15 years of monthly data was required.

The physical form sub-index has 3 indicators:

impact of artificial barriers on fish migration

large wood

bank stability

35

The streamside zone has 9 indicators:

Width

Large trees

Understorey lifeforms

Recruitment

Longitudinal continuity

Tree canopy

Litter

Logs

Weeds

The streamside zone assessment is based on a comparison between the current

condition of a site compared with its Ecological Vegetation Class benchmark (EVC).

An EVC is a vegetation community that is defined by its plant species and its location

in the landscape, and is what it would look like in its long undisturbed condition. In

other words, the EVC benchmark is the reference condition for the vegetation being

assessed. The ISC is only concerned with riparian EVCs.

36

The Water Quality Sub-index has four indicators:

Total Phosphorus

Turbidity

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

pH

The water quality sub-index assessment is based on five years of monthly water

quality sampling. The water quality data is taken from the Victorian Water Quality

Monitoring Network (VWQMN). The network has 183 water quality stations across

the State.

37

The aquatic life sub-index is based on aquatic macroinvertebrates and has two

indicators: AUSRIVAS and SIGNAL. Aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected

using EPA’s standard Rapid Bioassessment protocol. At each sampling site

macroinvertebrates were collected from two habitats (riffle and edge) in autumn and

spring. The results from the two seasons are combined.

38

Pressure

Invasive environmental weeds in riparian vegetation

Presence of exotic fish

Loss of riparian vegetation and catchment clearing

Stock access to waterways leading to erosion and fouling of water

River and creek water extraction and alteration of natural-flow regimes

Stream bank erosion from high-flow events

Increased flows and sedimentation post fire

Discharge from septic and greywater systems

Pollution from stormwater systems

Urban development

Response

Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2007

The purpose of the Sustainable Water Management Plan is to provide a strategic

direction for improved water management throughout Council operations and the

Nillumbik community. The Plan includes two prioritised action plans under the

themes Water Conservation and Stormwater Quality.

The objectives for the stormwater section include to:

39

ensure best practice in all of Council’s operations to minimise impacts on the

surrounding environment

provide education, support and incentives to Council staff and the community in

developing practices and modifying behaviour to reduce impacts on stormwater

quality.

For more detail on the actually responses refer to the Council Operations section on

the website.

Healthy Waterways - Waterwatch

The Council currently supports volunteers from schools and community groups to

monitor the health of our waterways by providing sampling equipment and materials.

With Banyule, Whittlesea, Yarra and Darebin City Councils, Nillumbik Shire Council

jointly funds a Regional Waterwatch Coordinator.

This is an educational program that sees volunteers carry out biological tests

including habitat surveys of riverbanks and instream surveys of insects that live in

the water. They also undertake physical and chemical tests which determine

temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and flow

rate. The combined results of these tests provide a good indication of water quality in

a particular stream.

Nillumbik has seven active Waterwatch groups monitoring sites along the Diamond

Creek, Arthurs Creek, Watsons Creek and Yarra River. The results of their work is

combined into a regular Snapshot report.

Results of the Snapshot Report July – December 2011

Eight sites in Nillumbik were monitored either monthly or bi-monthly during this

period proving the following data for Diamond Creek, Karingal Yarroc Creek, Arthurs

Creek and the Plenty River in Yarrambat. During this period rainfall was above

average resulting in higher than average stream flows.

40

Table 1: Summary of July- December 2011 snapshot report data

Blank cell Dissolved oxygen (quantity of oxygen in water)

Turbidity (water clarity and suspended particles)

pH (acidity/ alkalinity)

Salinity (electrical conductivity detecting presence of salt ions)

Reactive phosphorous (quantity of phosphorous)

Diamond Creek

Good Poor – Degraded (worsening downstream)

Good Fair Poor-Fair

Karingal Yalloc Creek

Good Poor - Good Good Poor-Degraded

Poor

Arthurs Creek

Good Degraded Good Fair Excellent

Plenty River (Yarrambat)

Good Degraded Good Fair Not collected

Since 2009 a noticeable improvement in turbidity in the Diamond Creek has been

recorded. This has been in response to the recovery of vegetation since the

February 2009 fires.

Corridors of Green and Community Grants Partnerships

In partnership with Melbourne Water, Council’s Environmental Works Unit

undertakes a number of projects at priority sites to improve riparian condition and

overall waterway health. In 2012/13 Council had applied for and received $83,000 in

funding through Melbourne Water’s Corridors of Green program.

Priority sites for funding through these programs included:

Diamond Creek through Eltham Lower Park, Barak Bushland, Wingrove Park

and Bell Street Reserve

Diamond Creek through Nillumbik Park 41

Yarra River at Pigeon Bank Reserve

Karingal Yallock through Meruka Park and Nerreman Reserve

Swipers Gully through Swipers Gully Reserve

Tributaries of the Watsons Creek through Gawa and Yanggai Reserves.

This funding is used to undertake a range of works to improve riparian condition and

waterway health including weed control, rabbit control and revegetation.

Wetlands

Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the on-going management and

maintenance of 15 constructed and natural wetlands across the Shire. Constructed

wetlands are excellent methods of treating stormwater for a number of reasons

including aesthetics, pollutant removal capability, habitat value and relatively low

maintenance. Natural and constructed wetlands can provide diverse habitat for

aquatic and terrestrial species. The large permanent pools of ponds and wetlands

enhances pollutant removal because of relatively long residence times, reduced flow

velocities and their ability to retain settled sediments and pollutants. Each year

Council spend approximately $84,000 on the maintenance of wetlands, which

includes activities such as desilting, weed control, rubbish removal and revegetation.

Water Sensitive Urban Design Factsheets

In 2007, Council created a set of information sheets to inform the Nillumbik

community about stormwater pollution issues and water sensitive urban design.

They provide advice to gardeners, builders and households on how to manage

stormwater better.

Melbourne Water

Melbourne Water manage the bed and banks of the Yarra River, Plenty River,

Arthurs Creek, Diamond Creek and the Watsons Creek and their tributaries within

Nillumbik Shire Council. Melbourne Water’s Environment Policy supports its

Strategic Framework: Working together to ensure a sustainable water future. The

framework formalises Melbourne Water’s commitment to a sustainable water future

and links its programs to relevant government policy platforms such as Our Water

Our Future, Melbourne 2030 and Our Environment Our Future. Within Nillumbik,

Melbourne Water carries out the following:

Ongoing program of works and community grants to care for waterways and

drainage systems. In 2009/10 the agency undertook a range of works within 42

Nillumbik, mainly weed control, bank stabilisation and revegetation along the

Diamond, Watery Gully, Watsons and Stevensons Creeks.

Working with Council to help control the quality of stormwater and catchment

runoffs to the water system. Council has committed to work with Melbourne

Water to develop a Flood Management Plan to understand and manage flood

risks.

Annual monitoring, investigations and research within Nillumbik including

annual macro-invertebrate and platypus surveys and water quality monitoring

Provision of Stream Frontage Management Program grants to private land

holders, Corridors of Green grants to public land managers and Community

grants to community groups working on public land.

Weed control and capital works on managed waterways.

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority

Nillumbik falls within the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment region, managed by

the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. The authority

has responsibility to develop and implement the Regional Catchment Strategy and

associated Action Plans. The latest plan is in preparation is due to go online in the

next year.

43

WaterWater is a precious resource that is essential for life. Balancing the supply of fresh

water and the demand is an ongoing challenge. It requires water conservation,

efficiency measures and recycling. This section applies the State, Pressure

Response Model to Community Water Conservation and Domestic Wastewater

Management.

Community Water ConservationState

At a Glance

In 2010, Nillumbik Shire Council adopted the Sustainable Water Management Plan,

to provide strategic direction for improved water management throughout the

Nillumbik community.

The most significant outcomes of the Plan are Council’s water reduction targets

for the community. Council’s target was to work towards achieving a community

water reduction target of 25 per cent (from 2000-2001) levels by 2010-2011.

In 2012 the Nillumbik community achieved a water reduction target of 26.5 per

cent based on the 2000-2001 water use.

There has been a significant reduction in mains water use across the Shire

over the last twelve years (see Table 1).

Some 85.5 per cent of the actions in Council’s environment strategies are either

completed, in progress or on target.

Table 1: Residential and non-residential water use patternsWater stream

Landuse Baseline consumption 00/01 (ML/yr)

Current consumption 11/12 (ML/yr)

Reduction (ML/yr)

% reduction

Mains water

Residential

5,691 4,185 1,506 26.5%

Mains water

Non-residential

579 174 405 70%

44

Water stream

Landuse Baseline consumption 00/01 (ML/yr)

Current consumption 11/12 (ML/yr)

Reduction (ML/yr)

% reduction

Rainwater Residential

542 Unknown n/a

Rainwater Non-residential

n/a

Licensed extractions

Residential

n/a n/a

Licensed extractions

Non-residential

Unknown 1,369

Pressure Drought

Water supply

ResponseState Government Water restrictions

Water restrictions are managed by Victoria’s urban water corporations and are

applied across Victoria based on the Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines.

Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program

On average, 30 per cent of all household water usage is in the shower. Nillumbik

Shire Council has supported the Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange

Program by promoting it through Council information and providing the exchange

service at the Shire offices.

Sustainable Gardening Australia

Nillumbik Shire Council has been an active supporter of Sustainable Gardening

Australia (SGA). SGA was established in 2003 and is a not-for-profit, non-

government organisation dedicated to changing the way Australians garden. SGA is

committed to achieving real, continually improving and easily understood

environmental solutions for gardeners. Through SGA, Nillumbik residents and

45

businesses have had access to information regarding water conservation in the

garden.

Environmental Events

Nillumbik Shire Council has run an annual program of environmental workshops

talks and events for over eight years to enable people to learn and share ideas on

various environmental topics. Topics relating to water conservation include:

Veggie gardening

Composting and worm farming

Waterwise gardening.

Domestic Wastewater ManagementState

At a glance

There are over 6500 septic tank systems in use in the Shire of Nillumbik.

The Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) defines a failing septic

tank system as a system:

o on a property <4000m2, because a minimum of 1000m2 is required for

effluent disposal and the block is further constrained by building

envelopes and landscaping. It is probable that such systems are failing

though not definite.

o that discharges grey water off site because of the risks to public health

and the environment

o where owners are unsure of the type of system they have (the likelihood

of the systems being managed and maintained correctly is reduced)

o that is not managed or maintained in accordance with permit conditions,

including de-sludging of septic tanks every 3 years.

Table 1 shows the result of a survey of approximately 1650 properties (with a 52 per

cent response rate), and a review of the Council Geographical Information System

(GIS) to understand the extent of probable failing systems. The GIS system was able

to determine the number of properties with an area less than 4000m2.The survey

was sent to properties in the areas determined to be high risk in the DWMP.

46

Table 1: Survey of failing domestic wastewater systems in NillumbikReason for Failure Number of

Properties*Percentage (total)

Property area less than 4000m2 607 37%

System discharges off-site 173 20%

Owner unsure of system 164 19%

System not desludged as per permit conditions

188 22%

*856 surveys returned

Pressure

Pollutants such as particles of dirt, lint, food and human waste products and

chemicals derived from detergents and other cleaning products building up in

the soil, damaging the soil structure, altering soil acidity/ alkalinity balances and

possibly harming plant growth

Health risks caused by odours, vermin and insects Microbial contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and algal blooms pose a

significant public health risk

Surface run-off into neighbouring properties and stormwater drains, rivers and

streams

Wastewater system maintenance Unsewered properties Failing or unmaintained septic tank systems

Response

Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2009-2012

In 2003 Council prepared its first Domestic Wastewater Management Plan. The Plan

was reviewed in 2006 and is again being reviewed in 2012. The Plan aims to provide

Council with a framework for:

developing long term actions for septic tank management

making decisions about individual installations

enforcement and compliance options

costing and funding septic management within the municipality.

47

Responding to offsite discharge of effluent

Council currently has no process in place for monitoring the performance and

condition of septic tank systems in the Shire. In most instances Council only

becomes aware of defective or failing systems after it receives a complaint about the

system or a property owner lodges a planning application to extend/alter a dwelling.

The number of complaints responded to by Council officers has steadily increased

over the last 6 years (Table 2).

Table 2: Effluent complaints to Council

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

(to 30/06)

Complaints 3 13 9 18 30 10

Building on properties smaller than 4000m 2

Most established dwellings/properties in Nillumbik were subdivided prior to the

Code of Practice – Onsite wastewater management being developed. Council

must be rigorous in determining the appropriateness for development on these

properties.

At the statutory planning stage, the applicant is required to submit sufficient

information regarding the proposal. All applications that are in a non-sewered

part of the Shire are referred to Environmental Health Officers for comment.

If there are concerns about the ability to treat and retain all effluent on-site then

the applicant will be required to submit further information such as a Land

Capability Assessment to support the application. This is a requirement for all

properties less than 4000m2.

Where soil permeability is poor a soil percolation test must be submitted prior to

a permit to install a septic tanks system being issued. This allows more

accurate design of the disposal system.

No permits for the installation of a septic system have been refused in the

previous four years. This is because unsuitable development proposals are

rejected or modified at the planning stage. Modification may include altering the

proposed extension, reducing the number of bedrooms or increasing the size of

the effluent envelope. Alterations to existing septic tank systems may be

required as a result of undertaking renovations or extensions to existing

dwellings. An alteration to a septic tank system for an existing dwelling requires 48

the whole of the septic tank system to comply with the EPA standards at the

time of altering the system. This may require part or whole of the system to be

upgraded.

Guidelines for owners and plumbers were developed to provide information to

residents about Council’s requirements for applying to install onsite wastewater

treatment systems.

Community Education Program

Council officers have run a series of education workshops on managing and

maintaining a septic system. These workshops were generally held in areas mainly

serviced by septic systems (i.e. North Warrandyte, Hurstbridge, Eltham). The

sessions generally had minimal attendance.

Council have developed a series of information sheets for householders on the

operation and maintenance of septic systems. Council provide these information

sheets to all householders when a Permit to Use a septic is issued. The fact sheets

in the series are:

1. So you have a septic? – overview of responsibilities for managing septics for

both Council and property owners highlighting health and environmental risks

2. Stop and think: what’s going down the sink? – what household and

cleaning products to avoid and why

3. Reduce your water use – the impacts of using excessive amounts of water

and methods to reduce household water use

4. Don’t be silly, desludge three yearly – the importance of having solids

regularly removed from your tank

5. Septic perfection is a yearly inspection – how to safely inspect your septic

tank system

6. Don’t build on the disposal field – the impacts landscaping and outdoor

activities can have on the ability of your system to safely dispose of treated

effluent.

7. Indigenous plants and grasses for transpiration - lists indigenous plants

and grasses as a guide to species that have been found to be satisfactory for

planting in and around effluent disposal areas. These plants are shallow rooting

grasses that tolerate wet conditions and have a high evapotranspiration

capacity. These plants are suitable for local conditions.

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8. A guide for reusing domestic greywater - effectively managing the reuse of

greywater is essential for the sustainable protection of the public and

environmental health. The best approach to water conservation is to reduce

water use, thereby reducing the amount of wastewater generated.

Yarra Valley Water Sewerage Backlog program

In areas where it is known that there are a number of failing systems and small lot

sizes, resulting in considerable threats to public health and the local environment,

Council is supporting and lobbying Yarra Valley Water for the installation of sewer.

There are approximately 17,000 properties (in the northern and eastern suburbs) on

the Yarra Valley Water (YVW) sewer backlog program. YVW is aiming to have all

these properties sewered by 2025.

In Nillumbik in 2012/13, the backlog areas of Eltham, Eltham North and Research

are due to be completed. This will constitute approximately 180 properties in that

area. At the beginning of the Sewerage Backlog Program, Nillumbik Shire Council

identified approximately 1,050 properties in North Warrandyte that were of significant

risk of failing septic systems.

Some of these properties have since upgraded their systems and now comply with

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria requirements, but many of these

properties still discharge effluent which is likely to eventually enter the Yarra River.

These properties in North Warrandyte are currently scheduled to be serviced by the

Sewerage Backlog Program between 2012/13 and 2013/14.

There may be some properties within a Backlog Area which are of sufficient size and

have a suitably performing treatment system to fully contain their wastewater onsite.

Provided these properties have an EPA approved treatment system that is in good

working order and is being properly maintained, they will not be legally required to

connect. However, with the monitoring and compliance system currently in place, it

will be difficult to ensure that these systems continue to be maintained correctly.

Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008

The plan provides strategic direction for improved water management for water

conservation and improved stormwater quality throughout Council operations and

the Nillumbik community. For major achievements refer to the Council Operations

section.

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EnergyEnergy use in buildings comprises about 20 per cent of total energy used across

Australia. Reducing the use of energy will reduce infrastructure and ongoing cost

burdens and make a more resilient community. This section applies the State,

Pressure and Response Model to Community Energy Conservation and Transport

Infrastructure.

Community Energy ConservationState

At a glance

Stationary energy includes electricity generation and fuels consumed in the

residential, manufacturing, construction and commercial sectors. This use

accounts for 59 per cent of carbon emissions in Victoria in 2005.

Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) are used to generate approximately 87 per

cent of electricity in Victoria.

13 per cent of electricity in Victoria is available from renewable sources such as

wind turbines and hydro-electricity plants. Consumers can purchase electricity

from renewable sources through the Green Power Scheme.

In 2010, total stationary energy use in Nillumbik was 2.1million GJ, an increase

of 48,047 GJ or 2.4 per cent from 2004.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the proportion of energy consumption by the

different sectors in Nillumbik Shire.

Nillumbik households consume an average of 22.7 kWh of electricity per day,

compared with households across the (NAGA) region at 15.2 kWh per day.

NAGA is the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and comprises the nine

municipalities of Banyule , Darebin, Hume , Manningham , Melbourne ,

Moreland , Nillumbik, Whittlesea , Yarra, and the Moreland Energy Foundation.

For the year to June 2012, national inventory emissions per capita were 25.7

tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2-e) per person, compared to 32.4 t

CO2-e in 1989-90, representing a 20.7 per cent decline (Source: Australian

national Greenhouse Accounts Quarterly Update of Australia’s National

Greenhouse Gas Inventory, June Quarter 2012).

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52

Figure 1: Electricity Consumption by Sector 2010

Figure 2: Gas consumption in Nillumbik Shire by Sector 2010

Renewable energy installationsSolar power generation and solar hot water use is gaining popularity in Nillumbik

Shire, demonstrated by the number of successful rebate applications and systems

installed (see Table 1).

Renewable energy installations include small scale solar photovoltaic, wind and

hydro. These are recorded as Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), are

surrendered and are reported by the Clean Energy Regulator by postcode.

Small-scale Technology Certificates, or STCs, are a tradeable commodity attached

to eligible installations of renewable energy systems (including solar panels, solar

water heaters and heat pumps). Under the Federal Government’s Small-scale

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Renewable Energy Scheme, when you install an eligible system, you may claim a

set number of these STCs.

This number is based on the amount of electricity in megawatt hours (MWh):

generated by your small-scale solar panel, wind or hydro system over the

course of its lifetime of up to 15 years

displaced by your solar water heater or heat pump over the course of its lifetime

of up to 10 years

where one STC equals one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated or

displaced.

Table 1: Renewable energy installations in Nillumbik

System Total

Solar electricity installations 1109

kW installed 2339.5 kW

Assumed MWh generation* 3842.58

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) avoided 5187.49 tCO2e in 2011/12

Solar hot water installed 1448

(Difficult to make assumptions on the savings as the size of the units is not specified)

Total unit installations 2557

*kWh generation assumption based on 4.5 hours average sunshine a day.

Table 2: Breakdown by postcode of the solar photovoltaic installations within Nillumbik

Town Installations Output kW

Diamond Creek 181 366.9

Plenty 27 75.7

Yarrambat 32 81.8

Eltham 360 744.9

Wattle Glen 39 89.154

Town Installations Output kW

Kangaroo Ground 38 79.1

Hurstbridge 126 264.3

Panton Hill 33 74.1

Smiths Gully 19 45.1

St Andrews 43 109.2

North Warrandyte 62 125

Greensborough 73 135.7

Doreen 58 112.9

Yan Yean 1 2.2

Christmas Hills 16 34.2

Total 1108 2338.5

Pressure

Population increase which leads to:

o Increased demand for electricity and other energy sources and therefore

more ‘endpoint’ and ‘embodied’ greenhouse gas emissions.

o Increased vehicle numbers and fossil fuel consumption, creating greater

‘endpoint’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Increase in the size of housing and the number of household electrical appliances

Need to identify, respond and adapt to climate change risks

“Peak oil" and reduced fossil fuel reserves

Reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels for energy production

Response

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Environmental Education

We provide regular information and demonstration sessions on energy efficiency and

ways to reduce energy use at home including Go 5 Energy Basics and Window

Treatments and DIY Double Glazing. There are a number of environmental

publications available including the Practically Green Sustainable Homes Guide.

Bulk purchase programs

We have conducted two bulk purchasing programs to assist households and

community groups reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Products offered were solar

electricity and hot water systems and electric bicycles. Information sessions were

held during both programs to assist community members to gain the knowledge and

confidence to purchase.

Watts Your Power 3099?

In 2012 a program to assist residents in the 3099 postcode area has run over five

months delivering detailed information about how to reduce household energy use

with discounted energy efficiency measures offered to households with low income,

aged and disabled residents.

Home audit kits

Ten Home Audit Kits have been placed in the libraries in Eltham and

Greensborough. These kits contain equipment and instructions on how to measure

energy and water use in the home, as well as up to date information about any

rebates and incentives available.

Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program

On average, 20 per cent of household energy is used for water heating. A water

efficient showerhead can reduce the amount of water used in the shower by 60 per

cent giving a corresponding reduction in the energy required to restore the heat of

the water in the hot water service. Nillumbik Shire Council has supported the Yarra

Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program by promoting it through Council

information and providing the exchange service at the Shire offices.

Transport InfrastructureState

At a glance

In 2010, there were 49,850 vehicles registered in Nillumbik Shire.

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Council has responsibility for approximately 771km of Nillumbik roads and an

extensive pedestrian and bike trail network.

Private vehicle use provides the fourth largest contribution to emissions within

the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) region.

Within Nillumbik there is 3.3km of on-road bike lanes and 0.5km of priority bus

lanes.

19km of regional trails and 18km of local trails exist as part of the shared trails

network for commuter and recreation use.

Without intervention there is expected to be an 18 per cent increase in

emissions from the transport sector between 2005/06 and 2020.

Nillumbik’s population is expect to grow by 7953 people by 2030, so investment

in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure will be important tools in

preventing emissions increasing and managing road congestion in urban

centres.

Table1: Vehicle use in Nillumbik ShireVehicle use 2009 2010

Shire population 62,905 62,794

Vehicle registrations 48,438 49,805

Registrations per shire resident

0.77 0.79

Sources: Population data Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data and Registrations and Licences

VicRoads.

Table 2: Methods of travel to work 2011

Blank cellNillumbik Nillumbik Greater

MelbourneGreater Melbourne

Method of Travel to Work

Number % of persons who travelled to work

Number % of persons who travelled to work

Car, as driver 22,933 79.8 1,184,969 69.2

Train 2,559 8.9 190,101 11.157

Blank cellNillumbik Nillumbik Greater

MelbourneGreater Melbourne

Car, as passenger

1,447 5.0 98,997 5.8

Bus 448 1.6 53,411 3.1

Walked only 418 1.5 55,913 3.3

Truck 361 1.3 14,848 0.9

Tram 211 0.7 67,802 4.0

Bicycle 180 0.6 29,714 1.7

Motorbike/scooter

118 0.4 8,628 0.5

Taxi 48 0.2 6,370 0.4

Ferry 0 0.0 485 0.0

Worked at home 1,739 * 69,383 *

Did not go to work

3,576 * 181,806 *

Source: Profiles of Victorian Communities 2011 census findings, Statistical information about social, health and

economic outcomes for all Victorian localities. A collaboration between City of Greater Dandenong and the

Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA).

Pressure

A dependency on vehicle-based transport is causing many adverse pressures on the natural environment

Climate change – Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Stormwater pollution - Impervious surfaces associated with transport

infrastructure create stormwater discharges and associated pollution of local

waterways.

Road kills - Road infrastructure and vehicle numbers lead to a proportional

increase in wildlife injuries and road kills.

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Roadside vegetation - Associated roadside vegetation maintenance increases

the potential for weed dispersal and habitat modification.

Native vegetation clearing - Road infrastructure and the associated urban

footprint leads to reduction in the size, function and connectivity of natural

ecosystems

Response

Integrated Transport Strategy 2001

The Nillumbik Shire Council Integrated Transport Strategy addresses transport

provisions within existing policy and initiatives at state, regional and local level. The

Strategy focuses on the availability and use of appropriate travel patterns and will be

reviewed in 2013.

Saturday Community Bus Service

Saturday Community Bus Service is a free community transport service coordinated

by a group of parents from St Andrews who want to provide transport for their

children and other people who live in rural parts of the Shire. Volunteer bus drivers

travel in a loop from Hurstbridge via Cottles Bridge St Andrews and Panton Hill each

Saturday, linking residents to the train network.

Walking School Bus

Walking School Bus programs operate at a selection of Nillumbik primary schools.

Groups of children walk to school with an adult volunteer ‘driver’ in front and an adult

volunteer ‘conductor’ at the rear. The bus travels along a set route to or from school

and picks up children at designated ‘bus stops’ along the way.

Nillumbik Trails Strategy

In December 2011, Council adopted a Trails Strategy to guide planning and decision

making for local recreation trails across the Shire over the next 10 years. The

Strategy recognises the importance of the trails to the Nillumbik community.

Nillumbik trails form an integral network that link townships, regional trails and places

of interest.

Bike trails network and footpaths

Council continues to build upon the network of bike trails and footpaths throughout

Nillumbik. A key aim of this infrastructure is to reduce reliance on the private motor

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vehicles by providing infrastructure that promotes safe and convenient walking and

cycling.

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Waste StatisticsDiscarded material is a waste of resources, including raw and processed materials,

energy, water and nutrients. Waste results in greenhouse gas emissions from the

energy used to originally manufacture the product (embodied energy), transportation

and methane emissions from landfill. This section applies the State, Pressure, and

Response Model to Waste Management.

State

At a glance

Currently rubbish and green waste are disposed of at Hanson Landfill at Wollert.

Hanson Landfill is a renewable energy landfill which captures approximately 11.5

million cubic metres of methane (capturing 85 per cent of total methane gas

generated) from decomposing waste which is used to produce 35 million kilowatt

hours of electricity per annum.

Council takes recyclable materials to SKM Recyclers in Coolaroo. SKM services 12

local government Councils and can process 500 tonnes of recyclable materials each

weekday.

The Council owned Kangaroo Ground Landfill site closed in 1999 and is being

prepared for rehabilitation.

The Council owned Plenty Landfill closed in 2007 and is being prepared for

rehabilitation.

Table 1: Waste and recycling collected in the Nillumbik Shire (in solid waste tonnes)

Year Landfill Recycled Green Total

2009/2010 16,908 7,757 6,617 31,282

2010/2011 18,200 7,706 8,043 33,949

Jul 2011 to Jan 2012

(part year - all figures )

11,095 4,572 4,747 20,414

Source: Hanson landfill and SKM recycling

Pressure

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Increased consumption and generation of waste pose the increased risk of:

Groundwater and land contamination

Greenhouse gas emissions

Incidental fossil fuel consumption from transportation and disposal

Dumped rubbish

Litter

Odour

Noise

Municipal waste - more than 27 per cent of the total waste stream in Victoria is from

the domestic sector.

Landfill leachate - heavy rainfall and associated infiltration of the landfill site at

Plenty and Kangaroo Ground.

Response

See our Rubbish and Waste pages for Council's current waste management

projects.

Public Place Recycling - Clean Up Our Game

Most of the waste generated at a footy game is recyclable. This presented an

opportunity for Whittlesea, Darebin and Nillumbik Councils to partner with the

Northern Football League to develop the “Clean Up Our Game – Recycle” public

place recycling project. Funded by a government grant through Sustainability

Victoria, the project provides an opportunity for spectators attending local football

matches to recycle and contribute to a positive change by raising awareness about

recycling and reducing litter.

Fans can now use the yellow lidded recycling bins at the football grounds to recycle

their glass and plastic drink bottles, cans, cardboard food containers, cardboard

coffee cups, newspapers and magazines.

Kerbside collection service

Council provides several waste management services to the local community

including:

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residential rubbish, recycling and green waste kerbside bin collection (see

Table 1)

an annual hard waste collection

annual free garden green waste drop off days (to assist with bush fire

preparedness)

collection and disposal of public street litter bins

street sweeping services.

Recycling & Recovery Centre (RRC)

Council operates a Recycling and Recovery Centre which accepts and recycles

excess garden waste and kerbside recyclable materials. The RRC also accepts and

recycles, free of charge to residents:

car batteries

household batteries

clothing

fluorescent tubes and globes

mobile phones

oil and oil containers

cardboard

recyclables.

Waste Education

Council provides residents with several free waste education workshops throughout

the year. These include re-usable nappy and compost workshops. Waste Educators

provide residents and small businesses with waste education, recycling and waste

reduction advice.

Northern and Western Organics Processing Facility

Nillumbik Council is part of the 11 Council’s that will be sending their kerbside green

waste to the in-vessel composting facility located in Bulla. It is estimated that

Nillumbik’s materials will begin processing in 2013. In the interim green waste will

continue to go to Hanson Landfill.

Community Support

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Council’s waste management unit also supports local sports grounds and community

events such as festivals with waste collection and recycling services.

Detox your home

Detox Your Home is a program that provides permanent facilities to accept gas

cylinders and paint and a mobile service run at different locations throughout Victoria

that accepts a wider range of toxic and hazardous materials. Permanent Detox

facilities are found locally at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre and Banyule

Resource Recovery Centre.

Reuse shop

The Reuse Shop is a unique feature of the Recycling & Recovery Centre. At the

Reuse shop household goods, bicycles, gardening equipment, crockery, toys and

clothing disposed of at the transfer station, but still in good condition are available for

sale. It is run by the Green Wedge Christian Community.

Free garden green waste drop off days

Nillumbik residents have access to free garden green waste drop off days each year

to prepare for the bushfire season.

MobileMuster

MobileMuster is an ongoing program run by the Australian Mobile

Telecommunications Association to prevent mobile phone products going to landfill.

The program accepts free of charge all brands and types of mobile phones, plus

their batteries, chargers and accessories which it then recycles in a safe, secure and

ethical way. Council supports and promotes MobileMuster throughout the Shire.

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CommunityCommunity engagement and participation is a key ingredient to successfully

addressing local environmental issues. Community participation gives a human face

to environmental issues, empowers people to become active agents of sustainable

and equitable development and promotes an understanding that communities are

pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues. In this section we apply

the State, Pressure, and Response Model to Environmental Education and Capacity

Building.

Community participation

StateAt a glance

Community engagement and participation is a key ingredient to successfully

addressing local environmental issues. Community participation:

o gives a human face to environmental issues

o empowers people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable

development

o promotes an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing

attitudes towards environmental issues.

There are 10 Landcare groups operating in the Shire.

There are 19 Friends of groups operating in Council’s environmental reserves.

Friends of groups also operate in several Parks Victoria’s reserves.

There are other environmental groups operating in the Shire including:

o Friends of Warrandyte State Park

o Australian Plant Society Yarra Yarra

o Yarra Valley Bird Observers

o Montmorency Field Naturalists

o WCAN

o Local Food Connect

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In 2011/12 approximately 2000 people attended activities organised as part of

the Environmental Events Program.

Approximately 6,000 people attend the Practically Green Festival each year.

Pressure These pressures prevent high levels of community participation to help

address environmental issues

Lack of community awareness and engagement about local environment

issues such as waterway health, rare and endangered species, invasive

weeds, feral animals and habitat fragmentation.

Lack of institutional awareness and capacity to proactively respond to local

and global environmental issues

Barriers to volunteer participation, such as:

o time constraints

o lack of resources to support volunteers

o training requirements

o insurance issues

o lack of awareness about local environmental volunteer groups

Response

Environmental Education Strategy

In 2012, Council adopted an Environmental Education Strategy. The purpose of the

Strategy was to analyse Council’s approach to environmental education and provide

strategic direction over the next five years for a relevant and coordinated approach to

environmental education.

Volunteers Policy

Council adopted a Volunteers Policy in 2010 to help overcome barriers to volunteer

participation, such as training requirements and a Shire wide framework for

volunteering. Since its adoption, the policy has contributed to increased

communication and partnerships between Council and volunteer environment

groups.

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Environment Advisory Committee & Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Environmental Advisory Committee and the Agricultural Advisory Committee

provide Council with a formal mechanism to consult with key stakeholders, seek

specialist advice and enable community participation in environmental sustainability

issues, initiatives, policies and strategies. The committees comprise up to eight

community representatives, selected to reflect a range of interests, expertise and

experience from across the Shire, as well as a Councillor and council officers. The

committees assist and advise Council regarding key environmental and agricultural

issues, provide a forum for dissemination to, and consideration of information by, the

local community, and assist in the preparation, monitoring and review of

environmental strategies and policies.

Edendale

Edendale is a centre that provides a broad range of environmental information; offers

educational programs in environmental sustainability to the local community;

provides open space for picnics and relaxation, and hosts a range of animals.

Volunteering opportunities include maintenance, animal chores and a nursery group

which is involved with plant propagation and gardening.

Edendale provides fun, hands-on and adaptable environmental education activities

specifically designed for preschoolers, primary school students and secondary

students.

Table 1: Number of students attending education programs at Edendale

Program 2010/11 2011/12

Preschools 593 917

Primary schools 2809 3277

Secondary schools 359 876

Special school 35 55

School holiday program 196 79

Tertiary NIL 30

TOTAL 3992 5234

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Environmental Events program

Nillumbik Shire Council runs an annual program of environmental workshops, talks

and events to enable people to learn and share ideas on various environmental

topics.

Teachers’ Environment Network

The Teachers' Environment Network (TEN) has been running for five years across

Nillumbik and Banyule municipalities. The Network is coordinated by Edendale’s

Environmental Education team in conjunction with Banyule City Council environment

staff. The Network’s aim is to support teachers in delivering an integrated and locally

relevant sustainability curriculum by:

providing an opportunity for teachers to share knowledge, experiences and

skills about environmental education and school projects

supporting and encouraging schools involved in the Resource Smart - AuSSI

Vic schools program

connecting Councils’ goals with teachers’ goals.

The Network holds two meetings each term. The meetings have relevant guest

speakers and provide an opportunity for discussion and sharing amongst teachers.

Teachers can count attendance at meetings towards Professional Development

requirements for VIT registration.

Landcare

Nillumbik’s Landcare Groups play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of

our unique landscape. They are also a valuable resource of practical support and

knowledge to landowners, especially new landowners. Council therefore values

these Landcare Groups and aims to provide programs to complement and support

the essential role that they perform in the Shire. The Nillumbik Landcare Network,

the Natural Environment Recovery Working Group and the Nillumbik Conservation

Corridors project provide opportunities for the groups to work together on strategic

projects.

Friends Groups

Council’s Environmental Works Unit support Friends of groups operating in Council

reserves. Members predominantly undertake works on Council-managed reserves,

to help protect and enhance the natural environment. Some activities include

revegetation projects, site maintenance, flora and fauna monitoring, water watch

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monitoring, plant propagation, involvement in special events such as Clean-Up

Australia Day and weeding and weed mapping.

Of the 479 hectares of bushland and wetland reserves that Council has responsibility

for, approximately 193 hectares is under the active management of Friends Groups

(40 per cent).

Rabbit Action Groups

Rabbits move quickly and easily between properties. Council encourages and

supports property owners to work together with their neighbours to address the

rabbit problem by forming Rabbit Action Groups. In 2011-2012 there were eleven

Rabbit Action Groups carrying out rabbit control activities in Nillumbik. Council

coordinated works with some groups nearby Council reserves. Rabbit Action Groups

were also provided with an incentive through Council’s Land Management Incentive

Program.

Community Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a free river health education and monitoring program, which aims to

increase community understanding, participation and ownership of local river health

issues. It involves schools and the community in the assessment and monitoring of

water quality in our stream and wetlands. The Healthy Waterways Waterwatch

Coordinator (part funded by Nillumbik Shire Council) provides talks on freshwater

ecology to schools and groups, provides free training and events and co-ordinates

the volunteer monitoring program. This program is joint-funded by Council and

Melbourne Water.

Home Harvest

Council hosted the first Home Harvest Regional Feast at Edendale on Sunday 22

April 2012. More than 100 local people contributed home grown produce for a

communal feast that was shared by nearly 300 people.

On the day three local food businesses - Real Food Catering, A Boy Named Sue and

Cornutopia - prepared a vegetarian buffet created using the grower's produce.

Practically Green Festival

Council have held the Practically Green Festival at Edendale annually since 2008.

The Festival is held to promote sustainable building and living in a fun and family-

friendly environment. The Festival features around 20 sustainable building and

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lifestyle exhibitors as well as market stalls, food vendors, live music, children’s

activities and workshops.

Practically Green Sustainability Awards

Council held the Practically Green Sustainability Awards for the first time in 2011 and

then again in 2012. Council give the awards to encourage and promote sustainable

building and environmental initiatives as well as recognising the many activities and

projects undertaken by households, businesses, schools, children’s centres and

community groups that are making a positive contribution to Nillumbik’s

sustainability.

Environmental publications

Council produces a number of environmental publications to support residents to

address environmental issues. These include:

Live Local Plant Local

Home Harvest

Nillumbik’s Native Fauna

Nillumbik’s Environmental Weed Booklet

Rabbit Control

Practically Green Building Guide

Fringe Focus Newsletter

Fringe Focus is a quarterly electronic newsletter produced by Council which aims to

keep the local community up-to-date with environmental issues and events in the

Shire of Nillumbik.

Nillumbik Environment Network (NEN)

The NEN is a network of Nillumbik residents interested in environmental issues.

Council provide NEN members with regular updates via email on environmental

events, issues and concerns relevant to the Shire and offers from Council's current

programs, projects, grants and initiatives.

Spring Outdoors

Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik Councils put together a regional program of

spring environmental events happening in each council location. All residents from

each of the councils are welcome to attend any of the events listed in the program.

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Council operationsNillumbik Shire plays a significant role in environmental management. Through

proactively pursuing sustainable development and implementing actions Council will

protect and improve the environment local environment. In this section we apply the

State, Pressure, and Response Model to Water Management, Energy Management,

Fleet, Information Technology, and other Corporate Responses.

Water managementStateAt a glance

Analysis of water use data shows that Council has exceeded the target established

in the Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008 for water conservation. Since

2000/01 Council has achieved a 65 per cent reduction in mains water use (target

was 45 per cent) (see Table 1).

Table 1: Council’s water consumption for 2000/01 and 2011/12

Water stream

Baseline consumption 00/01 (ML/yr)

Current consumption 11/12 (ML/yr)

Reduction (ML/yr)

% reduction

Mains water

193 67.4 125.6 65%

Rainwater Unknown 9.9 Unknown n/a

Licensed extractions

90 90 0 0%

Other* 25.4 n/a

Total 283 192.7

* Other refers to water sourced from a private dam for road grading purposes (approximately 100kL per day between November-March and 40kL per day between April and October)

Over the past eight years, Council have installed 99 rainwater tanks on Council

facilities. The total rainwater tank capacity is 1.5ML. Council also have 3 wetlands

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and 1 wetland combined with a stormwater harvesting system. The water is used for

a variety of purposes depending on the site including:

o drinking water

o toilet flushing

o fire fighting

o sports ground irrigation

o outdoor play

o gardening

o road grading

o nursery

o laundry

o pool backwash

Council has a 90ML/yr licence to harvest water from the Plenty River to fill an off-line

dam for the irrigation supply of Yarrambat Golf Course. Council can only divert water

from the Plenty River from 01 June- 30 November.

Council have a number of other extraction licences that are currently not used. They are located at Falkner Street (from the Diamond Creek) and Eltham Lower Park (from the Diamond Creek). There is also a currently unused bore located at Fergusons Paddock.

Table 2 summarises existing Council Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

projects and associated stormwater flow reduction and pollutant load reductions.

Collectively the WSUD projects reduce stormwater flow volumes and pollutant loads

discharged to local waterways. 9.9 ML/yr of runoff generated across impervious

surfaces is captured and prevented from entering waterways. Over 15,000 kg of

Total Suspended Solid (TSS), 40 kg of Total Phosphorus (TP) and 345 kg of Total

Nitrogen is also removed from stormwater thereby protecting waterways from the

impacts associated with these pollutants.

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Table 2: Summary of existing WSUD projects and associated stormwater flow reduction and pollutant load reductions

WSUD Name

WSUD type No. of treatments

Flow benefits (kL/yr) Mains water conserved

Flow benefits (kL/yr)Waste-water reduction

Stormwater flow reduction (ML/yr)

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TSS

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TP

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TN

Barak Bushland

Wetland 1 n/a 5.5 5,933 11 59

Coventry Oval

Wetland & harvesting

2 n/a 1.2 2,846 5 30

Henry Arthur Estate

Series of bioretention swales

Series n/a 0.7 1,009 2 11

Challenger Street

Wetland 1 n/a 5.3 4,709 10 67

Circulatory Road

Raingardens

10 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Alistair Knox Park

Wetland 1 n/a 1.5 3,630 7 34

Council rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks

99 9,880 9.9 2,973 17 205

Eltham North Reserve carpark

Swale 1 0 5 0.01 0.02

Eltham Leisure

Swale 1 0 5 0.01 0.02

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WSUD Name

WSUD type No. of treatments

Flow benefits (kL/yr) Mains water conserved

Flow benefits (kL/yr)Waste-water reduction

Stormwater flow reduction (ML/yr)

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TSS

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TP

Stormwater pollutant load reduction (kg/yr)TN

Centre carparkEdendale Raingarde

n1 0 1 0.01 0.004

Diamond Valley Library

Raingarden

1 0 20 0.02 0.08

Total 9880 0 24 21,101 52 406

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Alistair Knox Wetland Challenger Street Wetland

Coventry Street Wetland Coventry Street Lake

Response

Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008

This plan provides strategic direction for improved water management for water

conservation and improved stormwater quality throughout Council operations and

the Nillumbik community. Major achievements to date include:

Council building retrofits

All Council buildings have been retrofitted with dual flush toilets, flow restrictors and

water efficient showerheads to improve water efficiency. Signage has been installed

at these buildings to promote This ongoing project has been well received by tenants

and users.

WaterSmart Sportsground Initiative and warm season grass conversions

This $2.6 million project, delivered over four years, involved the redevelopment of

four sportsgrounds, stormwater harvesting, retrofitting pavilions to reduce potable

water use, and education to increase community and industry awareness in regard

to water saving initiatives. The project commenced in 2007 with works at Eltham

Central Oval, including drought tolerant grasses, installation of sub-surface drip

irrigation systems, and the installation of soil moisture sensors. The drought tolerant

grasses were watered in using recycled water.75

In 2008, Coventry Wetland was upgraded to harvest and treat stormwater from the

Diamond Creek township, which is then stored in a 10ML capacity lake. The treated

water is now used for irrigation. Marngrook Oval has also been connected to the

system and will be irrigated with stormwater. A rainwater tank has been installed at

the pavilion for toilet flushing. Eltham North Soccer Pitch was replaced with synthetic

turf in 2009.

Council has so far implemented nine warm season grass conversions at various

sportsgrounds throughout the municipality, including the fairways at Yarrambat Golf

Course. This is estimated to reduce the amount of water required for irrigation of

these sportsgrounds by 20 per cent.

Alistair Knox wetland

The lake at Alistair Knox Park was redeveloped in 2007-08 to convert the ponds into

a wetland system. Previously, stormwater from the adjacent residential area in

Eltham was discharging directly into the Diamond Creek with no treatment, polluting

the creek with sediment, litter and excess nutrients. The Alistair Knox Wetland now

receives stormwater from a large urban catchment and this water is treated by the

wetland before the filtered overflow discharges into the Diamond Creek. Interpretive

signage and a viewing platform have been installed to enhance the community’s

experience of the wetland. The project has significantly improved amenity at the site

and has been well received by the community.

St Andrews toilet block

As part of the redevelopment of the St Andrews Hall and reserve, a reed bed septic

system was installed to recycle water for toilet flushing.

Rainwater tank installations

Rainwater tanks have been installed at a number of Council facilities, including

250,000L tanks installed at the Eltham Leisure Centre and the Nillumbik Operations

Centre (used for truck wash down, road grading and other operations). Smaller tanks

have been installed at Eltham Central Oval, Eltham Childcare Co-op, North

Warrandyte Preschool, Eltham Woods Childcare Co-op, Kangaroo Ground

Preschool, and a number of other sites.

Relationship with Yarra Valley Water

Council has developed a good working relationship with Yarra Valley Water,

including working together on education programs and the Support 155 programs

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(see details below). With the appointment of a Yarra Valley Water Local Government

Program Manager in early 2009, it is expected that this relationship will continue to

develop into the future.

Stormwater Management Plan 2001 Vols 1 & 2

This plan provides an overview of waterway values, threats, risk and

recommendations to address key stormwater issues. It seeks to protect waterway

values and enhance the environmental, economic, recreational and cultural benefits

they bring to the community. Council have completed many of the recommendations

outlined in the Plan, including the installation of gross pollutant traps in many

shopping strip areas.

Integrated Water Management Study (under development)

The study aims to enhance Council’s current strategic and practical approach to

water management.

Energy ManagementStateAt a glance

In 2011/12, 84 per cent of Council’s total energy consumption was from electricity

use.

Figure 1 shows the pattern in Council’s Electricity Consumption from buildings

between 2007/2008 and 2011/2012.

In 2011/12 Council’s electricity consumption was responsible for the emission of

3946 tCO2-e. This is the equivalent of the emissions from 925 petrol cars for a year.

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Figure 1 actual amounts:

2007-2008 = 2874357 kWh

2008-2009 = 3102921 kWh

2009-2010 = 3104724 kWh

2010-2011 = 3185341 kWh

2011-2012 = 3261083 kWh

Figure 2 reveals the trends in consumption for Council’s top five electricity users.

The graph shows an overall trend in increasing energy consumption.

At the Diamond Valley Library where work has taken place to reduce electricity use

including installing solar panels a 9.74 per cent reduction in electricity use was

achieved from 2010/11 to 2011/12. Solar panels have also been installed at Panton

Hill Living & Learning where a 25.19 per cent reduction in electricity use between

2010/11 to 2011/12 has been achieved.

At the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, a 9.15 per cent reduction has been achieved

over the same period.

Figure 3 shows Council’s annual gas consumption between 2007/08 and 2011/12.

Following a downwards trend consumption peaked in 2011/12. This can in part be

explained by a colder than average winter and also a significant increase in gas use

at Civic Drive following the installation of new boilers. Although gas was introduced

to some sites in Hurstbridge this data is not included so does not account for the

increase.

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Figure 3 actual amounts:

2007-2008 = 1704871 MJ

2008-2009 = 1496260 MJ

2009-2010 = 1495199 MJ

2010-2011 = 1467938 MJ

2011-2012 = 2301980 MJ

For 2011/12 Council’s gas consumption was responsible for the emission of 118

tCO2-e. This is the equivalent emissions of 28 petrol cars for a year.

Figure 4 reveals the trends in consumption for Council’s top five gas users. It is

evident that Civic Drive is Council’s largest gas consumer and that consumption

nearly doubled in 2011/12. This increase has resulted from the installation of new,

larger boilers as part of the Civic Drive refurbishment.

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Response

Ecologically Sustainable Development (Building, Design and Works) Policy 2011

Council have developed the Ecologically Sustainable Development (Building, Design

and Works) Policy to provide guidance on achieving innovative and sustainable

outcomes in capital works projects, including new projects, renewals, upgrades, and

long term operation and maintenance of Council assets.

The policy aims to:

Integrate elements of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) into new

capital works, infrastructure and building renewal and maintenance projects

and the as-built form of Council assets.

Ensure costs of ESD measures are appropriately budgeted for within new

capital works, infrastructure projects and building renewal and maintenance.

Ensure ESD principles are inherent in council contracts, tender specifications

and maintenance procedures.

Ensure an ESD approach is adopted for purchasing decisions relating to capital

works projects.

Outline appropriate wording for contracts and tender documents.

Provide a balance between environmental, economic and social outcomes.

Capture planned projects in a holistic manner from inception to completion, and

be inclusive of long term operation and maintenance procedures.

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Energy and Water Monitoring

Council continues to develop a tracking system for energy and water consumption

for all its sites and facilities. The system includes threshold triggers to identify

anomalies in consumption so they are further investigated. Council aims to reduce

resource consumption and greenhouse gas generation through improved asset

management and accountability.

Energy Conservation

Council has undertaken numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint including:

Energy efficiency retrofits of existing facilities.

Installing solar systems on Council facilities (see Table 1).

Adoption of design guidelines in new Council facilities.

Fuel efficiency measures in the vehicle fleet.

Retrofitting of streetlights with energy efficient streetlights.

Purchasing carbon offsets for 100 percent of our electricity use in buildings.

Victorian Sustainable Streetlighting Pilot Project

In 2007-2008, Nillumbik Shire Council allocated $375,000 for the conversion of

Council’s streetlights to 2x14W T5 lights. In April 2008, Council, in partnership with

SP-Ausnet, Darebin City Council and City of Wodonga were successful in receiving

a $506,306 grant allocated from Round 3 of the Sustainability Fund managed by

Sustainability Victoria for the implementation of the Sustainable Streetlighting pilot

project. This retrofitting project was the first funded project in Victoria to pilot a bulk

changeover of Council-owned streetlighting.

The Sustainable Streetlighting pilot project involved retrofitting approximately 3,680

80 watt mercury vapour streetlights on minor roads within the project area with the

more energy efficient T5 streetlights.

The project was completed in 2011 and provided both electricity cost savings and

greenhouse gas reductions. Greenhouse gas reduction to 2030 has been estimated

at 18,220 tCO2-e or 911 tCO2-e per annum. The project is on track to achieve a 56

per cent reduction in streetlight electricity greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing

monitoring for a period of two years (to allow for seasonal variations) is required to

obtain accurate data on the true reductions achieved.

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Table 1: Council’s Solar photovoltaic systems program

Facility System Size (kW)

Anticipated Annual Generation (kWh)

Total Generation 2012 (kWh)

Tonnes of Avoided CO2 2012

No. of Cars Off the Road 2012

Panton Hill

Football &

Cricket

Clubrooms

4.37 6832 0 - 0.0

Panton Hill

Playhouse

5.13 5994 139.7 0.189 0.0

Panton Hill

Living &

Learning

Centre

2.28 2694 531.5 0.718 0.2

Operations

Centre

7.98 10110 7,685.8 10.376 2.4

Diamond

Creek

Community

Centre

12.16 16936 3,505.1 4.732 1.1

Eltham

Performing

Arts Centre

7.98 10925 2,479.2 3.347 0.8

River Bend 3.08 4096 945.0 1.276 0.3

Birrarung 1.98 2604 514.7 0.695 0.2

Eltham

Living &

Learning

3.04 3650 2,426.0 3.275 0.8

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Facility System Size (kW)

Anticipated Annual Generation (kWh)

Total Generation 2012 (kWh)

Tonnes of Avoided CO2 2012

No. of Cars Off the Road 2012

Centre

Edendale* 1.35 - - 0.0

Diamond

Valley

Library

7.98 10147 647.6 0.874 0.2

Strathewen

Pavilion

3.675

Allwood

House

3.42 4504 3381.0 4.564 1.1

Total 57.33 73988.4 18,874.6 25.481 6.

Fleet

State Figure 1 reveals the litres of fuel by type used by the Council fleet for 2010/11

and 2011/12. The Council fleet data includes both the heavy and light fleet. The

heavy fleet is the plant and trucks including the waste and recycling vehicles

and ground maintenance vehicles. The light fleet is the Council pool cars and

Rangers vehicles.

Figure 1: Council Fleet Fuel Use

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Figure 2 shows the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that the Council fleet

emitted in 2010/11 and 2011/12. In 2010/11 it was 1647 tCO2-e and in 2011/12

it was 1779 tCO2-e.

Important note: The Council fleet data includes the fuel consumed for the private

use of the Council pool cars. This is a small proportion of the total as the majority of

the fuel is used by the heavy fleet.

Figure 2: Council Fleet Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Response

Nillumbik Shire Council Fleet Policy

The intention of the policy is to ensure the equitable and efficient management and

use of Council’s fleet of vehicles. Specifically the policy actively encourages the

selection of vehicles that reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste fleet

Council’s old waste fleet included 11 side-loading and 1 rear loading single drive

(single axle) vehicles with a payload limit of approximately 5 tonne per vehicle.

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As of 2012, the new waste fleet comprises 10 side-loading tandem drive (dual axle)

vehicles with a payload of approximately 10 tonnes per vehicle and a smaller more

versatile rear-loader with a payload of approximately 3 tonnes.

The technical component of the specification for the collection vehicles was

developed to maximise the efficient collection and cartage of green waste, recycling

and garbage presented as part of the residential kerbside collection, as well as the

collection and cartage of waste from street and reserve bins. The configuration of the

collection vehicles will ensure that maximum road load limits are not exceeded while

maximizing the payload and reducing travel distances and times for the whole

collection cycle.

All new vehicles are Euro 5 compliant, which ensures that vehicle emissions (nitrous

oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter) are reduced. Euro 5

compliant vehicles are reported to achieve greater fuel efficiency and it is expected

that operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions will reduce accordingly. The

introduction of the new fleet will assist in meeting Council’s vehicle emissions target.

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