LODDON Shire Council has adopted a new Environmental Sustainability Strategy for 2013/2018.
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The strategy commits to a wide range of new priorities and actions designed to balance economic viability, environmental benefit and community well-being.
Council’s director of operations Ian McLauchlan said the new plan provided a mechanism for the shire to achieve a more sustainable future.
“This is a document that provides a clear set of objectives to work towards,” Mr McLauchlan said.
“It nurtures new and existing activities that have positive environmental outcomes."
Council engaged Daylesford-based consultancy Alchemy Living and Learning to gather input from council staff, community and business groups.
The consultants came up with 44 specific actions under seven headings:
Energy management, including an energy efficiency audit of shire buildings;
Water initiatives, such as upgrading automatic watering systems in public places;
Biodiversity measures, such as weed control programs on roadsides and shire-managed land;
Land management and planning such as more revegetation works;
Waste management, such as continued support of the Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group;
Sustainable transport, such as advocating for improved rail services; and
Business development, such as a Loddon food co-operative and encouraging high-value crops.
The plan will be reviewed annually.