1. Introduction Campbelltown City Council A Unique Environment Structure Campbelltown City Council s Strategic Planning Framework 4

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Campbelltown City Council A Unique Environment 2 3. Structure 3 4. Campbelltown City Council s Strategic Planning Framework 4 5. Strong Foundations 5 6. Connected & Healthy Landscapes 7 7. Sustainable Resources 9 8. Sustainable Living 12

3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Introduction The Campbelltown City Council s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is one of Council s four Strategic Plans. It is consistent with Council s Strategic Plan ( ) and the Eastern Region Alliance (ERA) EMP, and reflects the needs and aspirations of the community in relation to the local environment. The preparation of the EMP 2020 included extensive consultation with the local community and key stakeholders, and a review of the existing plan, collation of data and trends, and the development of a discussion paper and subsequent draft EMP. The EMP 2020 provides a strategic direction that builds on what was started under the previous plan and sets priority actions for the coming six years. A twelve month Action Plan has been developed for the first year of the EMP and this will be reviewed and updated annually to meet the objectives of the EMP Page 1

4 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Campbelltown City Council A Unique Environment Campbelltown City Council has become increasingly urbanized. However it also contains and is in close proximity to remnant and diverse flora, creeks, parks and reserves. The Campbelltown community values these natural assets and sees them as a unique and special part of where they live and work. The Community values being able to live amongst the trees and under the hill face, as well as the walkability of the area in terms of the linkages to the Linear Park, creek trails and parks. Pride in the natural environment is also demonstrated through the commitment and action of local groups who protect, conserve, plant and maintain spaces around the Council area through working with local Landcare, Friends of Parks and Conservation Volunteers Australia amongst others. Increasingly, the communities within Campbelltown are also engaging with their local environment through the emergence and creation of local food gardens, with the demand and energy around this space continuing to grow. A successful EMP will balance urbanisation with the enhancement of the unique Campbelltown environment and the emerging desire for strong local community. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN VISION A city where people choose to live because of the sustainable living options, and the quality of open spaces and the natural environment that are easily accessible via a well connected trail network. Page 2

5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Structure The EMP is built around 3 themes. Each theme includes a number of areas which Council will focus on over the coming 5 years. All of these are underpinned by Strong foundations. The areas of focus outline strategies that will be progressed and built on from the last plan. Council will support and report on these through the development of more detailed action plans. To assist in the reporting process each theme has number of measures of success. The actions will be updated on an annual basis, outlining key responsibilities for each action. Individual Business Units within Council that will be responsible to lead and coordinate delivery, and reporting. THEMES Connected & Healthy Landscapes Sustainable Resources Sustainable Living FOCUS AREAS Connecting Open Space Conserving Biodiversity Protecting Local Waterways Using Energy Wisely Adapting to Climate Change Conserving Water Minimising Waste Alternative Travel Options Planning & Building Local Food Production Strong Foundations Page 3

6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Campbelltown City Council s Strategic Planning Framework The Campbelltown City Council has an integrated planning framework which ensures alignment between plans and actions. SOUTH AUSTRALIAS STRATEGIC PLAN AND OTHER REGIONAL PLANS CITY OF CAMPBELLTOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN CITY OF CAMPBELLTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY PROFILE (ABS SURVEY) STRATEGIC GOALS QUALITY LIVING > LEADERSHIP > CITY PLANNING > ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY> LOCAL ECONOMY DEPARTMENT BUSINESS PLANS MANAGEMENT PLANS INFRATRUCUTURE & ASSET MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT SUPPORTING ACTION PLANS CITY OF CAMPBELLTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN ANNUAL BUDGET REPORTING ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE PLANS AND REVIEWS Page 4

7 IMPLEMENTATION 5. Strong Foundations The success of the EMP is not only what it will deliver but how it is delivered. Council have identified 4 foundational elements that will support the successful implementation of the plan. GOOD GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP Implementing the EMP will be everybody s business. All parts of the Council will have a role. However coordinating these actions will be important. This will occur as part of the role of the Coordinator Environment and Sustainability as well as being overseen by the Executive Management Team. Resourcing this plan will aim to come from existing budget lines and workloads within departments where practicable and is subject to Council s annual budget process and applications for external funding grants to facilitate key works and projects where possible. COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS The successful delivery of many parts of the plan will require working partnerships with other Councils, the Eastern Region Alliance, State Government Agencies, Commonwealth government, local industries businesses and most importantly local communities. Ensuring success will require developing strong collaborative relationships and engaging with these partners on various aspects of the plan. Environmental Strategy for the Eastern Regional Alliance The Eastern Region Alliance (ERA) is a group of seven eastern metropolitan councils who voluntarily work together for the benefit of their local communities and the eastern region community as a whole. Member Councils of ERA are the Cities of Burnside, Campbelltown, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Tea Tree Gully, Unley, and the Town of Walkerville. The ERA councils work together on 14 different portfolios, one of which is Environment. By thinking globally, actively seeking opportunities to work collaboratively together and acting locally, each council maximises the positive impact on its local environment. The work of the ERA Environment portfolio is guided by the Regional Environment Plan, a regularly updated framework of broad community based environmental strategies and approaches to addressing environmental issues of regional importance. COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP Most aspects of the plan rely on community ownership and engagement with the environment. The benefits of people connecting with nature provide an increase in wellbeing and therefore there are also social and human benefits to be gained. The phrase Our Place Our Environment Our Responsibility represents the community element in achieving the outcomes of this plan. SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES The term sustainability is an over- used term. Many people have different views on what it means and the benefits. The concept of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) was coined in the early 1990 s and while there is no universally accepted definition, in 1990 the Commonwealth Government of Australia suggested the following definition: Page 5

8 IMPLEMENTATION 'Using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased'. (COAG, National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable Development, 2002) Underpinning the concept of sustainability are a number of guiding principles which inform actions and decisions. The following principles are those which the City of Campbelltown have identified as being the most relevant and important. Decisions should consider both the long and short-term economic, environmental, social and equity consequences. A strong, growing and diversified economy is an important factor to enhance the capacity for environmental protection. Where possible cost effective and flexible policy instruments should be adopted. Community and stakeholders should have the opportunity to be involved in issues and decisions which affect them. ACTION PLANNING Action planning incorporates planning, doing and reviewing within a process. For the EMP annual action plans will be developed which identify what will be completed over the coming year and who is responsible. An important part of developing this plan is the ability to review progress and adapt to any changes. PLAN Results Annual Action Plan including short term actions & responsibilities Strategies What we will continue? and What we will start? DO Themes and Focus Areas Strong Foundations REVIEW W Page 6

9 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS 6. Connected & Healthy Landscapes The Campbelltown City Council is largely an urban environment. However it is interspersed with unique pockets of rich and diverse native vegetation and habitats. This habitat can occur in the form of parks, along creek lines and roadsides, and backyards. These environments bring multiple benefits to the Campbelltown community by providing important refuges for plants and animals and providing space and experiences for play and recreation. Managing, protecting and improving these spaces and habitats is crucial. Much of this work will be done by Council in partnership with the local community and in partnership with agencies such as the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Natural Resource Management Board (NRM). Within this theme there are three areas which the Council will focus. Wadmore Park is one of the few remaining urban areas hosting nationally significant vegetation including the Pale Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum pallidum) and the Plum Leekorchid (Prasophyllum pruinosum) CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY Conserve and enhance local biodiversity through formal and informal landscaping. Build and develop our local seedbank. Increase engagement and awareness of local schools with the local environment and biodiversity through developing relationships with schools and interactive opportunities for involvement. Build and develop strong relationships with agencies that support local biodiversity work within the Council area. Provide opportunities for local community members and groups to actively get involved in biodiversity management. Increase community, staff and Elected Member understanding of the unique and significant biodiversity areas located in the Council area. Improve the biodiversity along the River Torrens areas within Council through strategic plantings. Implement the Wadmore Park/Pulyonna Wirra Management Plan and Vegetation Action Plan. Identify high priority biodiversity areas and prepare management strategies for protection and enhancement of these areas. Develop a biodiversity report card to measure and track changes to the quality of biodiversity within our area. Develop processes for ongoing monitoring of biodiversity conservation and enhancement progress Review Council s strategic framework and operational management of biodiversity to improve how these interact with each other at an interdepartmental level. Investigate Regional partnerships for revegetation. Improving communities understanding of the benefits and perceived risks of trees in the area. Strengthen volunteer and staff capacity in biodiversity management. Identify biodiversity areas within Council development plans to ensure and enshrine their protection. Page 7

10 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS CONNECTING OPEN SPACE Develop streetscape themes incorporating local native plantings and cultural themes where appropriate. Incorporate local vegetation in Council landscaping design where appropriate. Build and develop strong relationships with agencies that support local biodiversity work within the Council area. Improve the trail network as part of the Chain of Trails Master Plan. PROTECTING LOCAL WATERWAYS Improve the local creek network through riparian and revegetation plantings with external funding where possible and engagement of the local community. Integrate creek improvement works with Chain of Trails Master Plan to provide opportunities for conservation options. Undertake erosion, bank stabilisation and revegetation works along Creeks within Council s care. Develop a strategic approach to creek management. Identify priority preventative works such as appropriate riparian revegetation. Initiate Staff training in creek management to ensure that these areas are maintained appropriately. Build community and council knowledge in best practice water course management. Develop activities that will increase community awareness regarding human impacts on local waterways and how to minimise them. SUGGESTED MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Streetscape themes created incorporating median island planting and precincts landscape (Strategic Plan) Indigenous/drought tolerant plants make up 65% of total plants (Strategic Plan) Range of seed collected and cuttings propogated. (Strategic Plan) A biodiversity report card for Campbelltown by 2017 Extent to which improvements made relating to Chain of Trails Master Plan Creek management plans developed for major creeks in the area by 2020 Page 8

11 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS 7. Sustainable Resources We all have a responsibility to use our resources wisely. As we move into a changing climate the importance of conserving energy resources and identifying alternative means of energy becomes more important. The true impact of a changing climate on local infrastructure is not yet fully understood. As a community we will need to both adapt to a changing climate while also contributing to minimising the use of resources. Waste management has always been core business for councils. However this role is changing. More resources once considered waste can be recycled and re-used. This presents both opportunities and challenges than need to be worked through. Council has installed almost 90kW of photovoltaic (PV) systems on Council premises since 2008 resulting in an additional kW generated since their installation. The City of Campbelltown is participating with other councils to develop a regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The EMP will support the implementation of this strategy with local level actions. Within this theme the Council has identified 3 areas to focus on. MINIMISING WASTE Provide interesting ways for the community to learn about waste and recycling such as community waste bus tours etc. Provide dedicated recycling bins at major events. Build and foster relationships with organisations that support principles of waste minimization and avoidance. Identify and connect with State and Federal Government initiatives. Aim to reduce the contamination rate of recycling through an education and awareness program. Review public place litter bins in line with best practice. Develop a comprehensive Hard Waste/E-waste promotional campaign. Reduce the number of illegal dumping incidents. Develop and refine Councils hard waste collection service and e-waste drop off services. Review Council s current Waste practices in line with the waste hierarchy principles, avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Develop a hazardous/difficult waste education campaign and investigate opportunities for disposal of common problem items. Page 9

12 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS USING ENERGY WISELY Promote energy efficient features of Lochiel Park. Enhance community understanding of issues surrounding energy efficiency through interactive educational opportunities. Improve data collection and management for energy usage and solar PV. Explore areas where Council can make further reductions such as street lighting and high energy use buildings. Trial innovative alternative sources of energy. Identify energy efficiency and renewable energy case studies and examples to promote. Work with local sporting clubs and community groups to help them improve their energy efficiency as well as adaptation measures. Identify priority areas within council where proactive measures can be taken to communicate key information and advice to residents. ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE Participate in Regional Adaptation Planning project with ERA Councils and Adelaide City Council Monitor and improve reporting on Councils greenhouse gas emissions through existing reporting mechanisms. Review of climate change adaptation measures, systems and procedures to ensure alignment with the ERA Regional Adaptation Plan. Commence implementation of the Regional Adaptation Plan. Review of risk assessment processes and work processes to incorporate results of adaptation plan. In future reviews of the procurement and purchasing policy opportunities be investigated to further improve purchasing and contracting decisions. While we continue to improve our recycling we have new challenges: - Contamination (the amount of incorrect materials placed into the recycling bin has increased from 15% to 21%. - Illegal dumping incidents have increased by 150% up from 298 to 459 per annum. Page 10

13 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS CONSERVING WATER Participate in Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide Regional Project (WEAR) and investigate additional smaller scale ways that Council can implement Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in Council maintenance and projects. Improve drought resistance of local reserves and reduce water consumption through irrigation improvements. Use drought tolerant plants. Investigate alternative approaches to high density urban stormwater runoff and review effectiveness of existing control measures in place. Showcase and facilitate community groups (such as sporting clubs) to undertake best practice water saving. Review water use practices at council owned buildings and investigate opportunities to use alternative water sources. Encourage community and community groups to look at conserving water and alternate supplies. SUGGESTED MEASURES OF SUCCESS: By 2020 we will: Reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions generated by Council (SP 2020) Reduce energy usage from 2013/14 levels generated by Council by 10% Increase the amount of mulch used in Council reserves (SP 2020) Ensure 65% of new planting is indigenous/drought tolerant plants (SP 2020) Undertake an Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) by 2015 and a Regional Adaptation Plan Number of Water Sensitive Urban Design projects initiated Monitor the implementation of the Urban Stormwater Management Plan Increase the amount of waste diverted from landfill for kerbside and hard waste collections to 60% Reduce illegal dumping incidents by 25% from 2013/14 levels (SP 2020) Reduce contamination of kerbside recycling by 5% Page 11

14 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS 8. Sustainable Living From how we design our communities and buildings to making local food choices and consumer purchasing habits, our choices impact on the liveability of our communities. Increasingly we want to live in communities that are sustainable. This includes having access to affordable, quality and locally produced food for all community members; designing communities that encourage walking and use of local transport and creating buildings and environments that are both aesthetically pleasing while also energy efficient. The Council has identified three focus areas within this theme. ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL OPTIONS Implement the Walk21 charter recently signed by council (2014). Recognize and Implement walkability aspects in Master Plans. Implement the Chain of trails Master Plan. Implement the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan. Investigate alternative ways to promote the principles of alternative transport within the community. Identify ways to develop regional partnerships or projects to promote sustainable transport options. Review the Bicycle Plan LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION Promote local food production. Promote and 'support' the local Campbelltown community food swap and community gardens. Prepare a policy for developing strategically local food gardens which consider access and equity. Identify opportunities to create new community gardens and alternatives such as communal orchards. Build capacity for local food production within the community. Support local schools education programs around growing food. Foster and develop community capacity for backyard food production. Page 12

15 THEMES AND FOCUS AREAS PLANNING & BUILDING Ensure development plan contains principles for sustainable development and considers implications on the surrounding environment. Advocate for policy and legislative changes that support greater uptake of environmentally sustainable design principles. Promote Lochiel Park design and Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) principles. Investigate measures to mitigate effects of high density housing allotments with minimal shade/trees (Urban Heat Island effect). Review opportunities to strengthen conditions in development approvals for areas that improve efficiency (such as window eaves). Provide information to the community on passive design choices when renovating or building a new home. Investigate opportunities for stormwater management in high density dwellings. Build knowledge in planning services to support and educate residents regarding sustainable design principles. Investigate opportunities for new Council developments or renovations to incorporate sustainable design principles and/or innovative technologies. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: By 2018 we will: Implement a bike hire pilot Implement the Chain of Trails Master Plan Increase the number of measures implemented to improve wayfinding through the Pedestrian Access Mobility Plan. Review the application of the Development Plan in relation to sustainable design requirements. Review and update Council s bicycle plan. Monitor street tree planting programs and success to reduce effects of heat island effect. Increase the number of community gardens and local food programs initiated by the community. Develop a range of ways to provide information to the community when renovating or building a house. Page 13