By Kirsty Ross
HOBSONS Bay City Council has released a fouryear environmental plan recommending a more water efficient council.
The draft Environment Strategy 20052009 was prepared with community input at a number of public workshops.
The document recommends that new council facilities find better water and energy saving measures.
It also recommends looking at using recycled water for maintaining councilowned sports fields.
The strategy addresses issues like biodiversity, open space and coastal management, energy and greenhouse concerns, air pollution, transport, noise, water, waste and litter.
Williamstown Ward councillor Angela Altair said the strategy would help streamline council’s many environmental initiatives.
“We have plans to cut our waste, reduce greenhouse emissions and improve stormwater runoff but we needed an overall plan to coordinate all these actions,” she said.
Cr Altair said the strategy follows on from the results of a community reference group in 1997.
Hobsons Bay mayor Renee Caruana described the municipality’s environment as unique and fragile.
“It is important that we look after it properly and balance its needs and requirements appropriately.
“We really have something special, something which residents and visitors are appreciating more and more,” she said.
The strategy can be viewed at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, Williamstown Town Hall, Hobsons Bay libraries and on the council website at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Residents can provide feedback until 10 November.
