Annual Vehicle Emissions Off-set

Latrobe City is offsetting its annual vehicle emissions offset, based on the Greenfleet formula of 17 trees planted per vehicle per year. In addition to planting trees, understorey is planted as well, making up a very biodiverse planting. Planting locations are planned to enhance our waterways, to protect and enhance existing remnants and to improve the connectivity of our native vegetation which provides important movement corridors for our wildlife.

Biodiesel Footpath Sweeper

Latrobe City has used a 50:50 biodiesel mix in a council footpath sweeper for the last four years. Four-thousand litres of biodiesel per year is being used which is sourced from used cooking oil.  

Vehicle Fleet Reduction

Latrobe City Council has started to downgrade its vehicle fleet, now incorporating factory fitted LPG and four cylinder petrol vehicles into the fleet.

Local Laws Vehicle carrying pods

Latrobe City's six local laws vans have been fitted with animal carrying pods capable of transporting four domestic animals safely at once. It is estimated that the number of trips to the animal pound and vet has halved since their introduction in 2007.  When going to the vet, which is often, four animals are always transported instead of one. On street pick ups, it is rare for them to ever pick up just one animal in a trip. As a consequence, council's local laws team estimate that the total number of kilometres travelled per vehicle has been reduced by one quarter.

Consolidation of Offices

Latrobe City's new corporate headquarters which opened in Morwell in 2005 were deliberately located at a central location near public transport services in the municipality to reduce travel time and distance for staff and those needing to do business with council, and promote public transport use.  A lock up bicycle shed encourages employees to ride to work by providing safe storage, and the community is encouraged to make their visit to the municipal offices by bicycle rather than car, through the provision of bicycle racks at service centres.

Sustainable Transport Group

Latrobe City has initiated a Sustainable Transport Group to lead and encourage staff to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that they produce whilst commuting to and from work. The group will look at ways to facilitate car pooling, train and bus use, walking and cycling. The benefits go beyond a reduction in greenhouse emissions, with social and health benefits for staff expected.

Community Leadership

Latrobe City is also working with the community to help people reduce their carbon footprint.  

Local government is the tier of government considered closest to the community - delivering a range of services from cradle to grave such as infant immunisations for those just born, to preschools, child care, libraries, waste collection services, meals on wheels and home care for the aged.   As such, local government can influence the actions of communities by encouraging a sustainable use of resources and of course setting an example by their own actions.

Sustainability is incorporated into every aspect of the Latrobe City's delivery.   Sustainability together with liveability, governance and community capacity building are Latrobe's four strategic objectives.  Together with organisational excellence, these are the fundamental principles upon which Latrobe City does business, works with the community and plans for the future.

Cities for Climate Protection

Latrobe City Council is one of 221 local governments participating in the CCP Program in Australia and joined the program in 1998.   Latrobe City Council has completed all five milestones in the program and is now undertaking advanced greenhouse reduction initiatives as part of CCP Plus.

Latrobe City has set a reduction goal and developed a 'Greenhouse Action Plan' with the aim of achieving a 25 per cent reduction in emissions from council operations (corporate sector) from 1998 levels by 2010.   Council has also endorsed a reduction goal for community emissions of 20 per cent from 1996 levels by 2010.

To date, corporate emissions have been reduced by 15% compared to 1998 emissions.  Examples of actions which have contributed to the corporate emission reduction include: the commencement of an office paper reuse initiative; purchase of energy efficient office equipment; diversion of green waste from landfill; increased vehicle fleet efficiency; energy efficiency upgrades at Latrobe Leisure Morwell, Moe-Newborough and Churchill, and the Traralgon Town Hall; consolidation of office accommodation; and the installation of four sun lizards at early learning centres.

New Technology Investment Facilitation

Latrobe City is rich in natural resources and is also the centrepiece of the Gippsland economy, operating as a service centre for the region and drawing from its natural resources to add value in the manufacturing processes.

Latrobe City recognises that wealth generation, investment and job creation are primarily the province of the private sector.

Latrobe City focuses strongly on facilitating investment in five target sectors:

• Energy;
• Forestry, Timber and Paper;
• Food and Agribusiness;
• Advanced Manufacturing and Aviation;
• Services, Tourism and Events;

Latrobe City's role is not only to facilitate this private sector investment, but also to help create the correct investment "climate". Through underpinning the enabling sectors in the economy: 

• Education and Research;
• Natural Resources and the Environment;
• Infrastructure;
• Community.

As part of the Gippsland Local Government Network (GLGN) Latrobe City Council plays a part in delivering the Gippsland Regional Development Strategy (GRDS). The Gippsland Regional Development Strategy is a strategic framework with respect to the priorities, outcomes, and needs, associated with the long-term, sustainable development of the Gippsland Region. There is a significant level of major investment either being considered, proposed or undertaken throughout Gippsland. This investment will add to the Gippsland region's capability through increased economic output, direct employment, innovation and access to new processes, improved infrastructure and/or improved liveability.

Water 

Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world yet we have the highest per capita water use in the world. As we are experiencing a reducing rainfall along with an increasing water demand due to increasing population, the need for water conservation is great.  Latrobe City Council is committed to reducing the use of potable water and improving the quality of water in our waterways.

In 2002 Latrobe City Council joined the ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign. This is an international fresh water management program that aims to build the capacity of local government to reduce water consumption and improve local water quality. A Sustainable Water Use Plan, which focuses on council's own water consumption, was approved by Council in 2006.

Latrobe City Council has set the following corporate water use reduction target:

• 20 % reduction by 2010
• a further 20 % reduction by 2015

This makes for a 40% reduction in Councils' own potable water use by 2015 compared to 2005/2006 water use.

A community target will be set in the Water Management Plan which is currently being developed.

As of March 31 2008, measured potable water use reduction actions have resulted in approximately 113 million litres/ year or a 50.1 % reduction in corporate water use compared to 2005/2006.

This water use reduction has been achieved particularly through savings made at sports ovals, outdoor pools, garden beds and public toilets. Flow control valves have been installed in all Latrobe City owned taps.

Policies, Strategies & Related Documents

• Sustainable Water Use Plan (December 2006) (pdf, 2.1 MB)

External Useful Links

• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Savewater
• Gippsland Water
• Gippsland Water Factory

Timber  

Local Government is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice for Timber Production on private land.

The Code of Practice for Timber Production (the Code) is a key regulatory instrument that applies to commercial timber production in both public and private forests and plantations in Victoria. It is a statutory document made under Part 5 of the Conservation Forests and Lands Act 1987. Compliance is required under the Sustainable Forest (Timber) Act 2004 and via its incorporation into the Victoria Planning Provisions.

The purpose of the Code is to ensure that commercial timber growing and timber harvesting operations are carried out on both public land and private land in such a way that:

• permits an economically viable, internationally competitive, sustainable timber industry;
• is compatible with the conservation of the wide range of environmental, social and cultural values associated with timber production forests;
• provides for the ecologically sustainable management of native forests proposed for continuous timber production;
• enhances public confidence in the management of Victoria's forests and plantations for timber production.

Latrobe City Council performs random audits on timber coupes both after harvest and establishment.

When new timber plantations are being established a Plantation Development Notice needs to be lodged with Council.

For timber harvesting a Timber Harvesting Plan must be submitted to Council 28 days prior to the commencement of harvest.

Native vegetation cannot be harvested without the need for a planning permit.

Policies, Strategies & Related Documents

• Timber Harvesting Plan Template 2007 (Word Doc, 232 kb)
• Plantation Development Notice 2007 (Word Doc, 303 kb)
   

External Useful Links

• Code of Practice for Timber Production 2007
• Victoria's Native Vegetation Management - A Framework for Action