By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay councils have joined forces with 22 other Victorian councils to push for more sustainable designs within planning laws.
The councils lodged a request for a planning amendment to the state government to introduce a planning police which elevates sustainability requirements for new buildings towards moves towards net zero carbon production.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran and Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill has also written to Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn seeking her support of the request and for her to acknowledge current planning laws do not reflect the urgent need for action to tackle climate change.
Cr Hemphill said the planning amendment would complement the current Environmentally Sustainable Development [ESD] requirements.
“Council adopted an ESD Policy in 2018, which has enabled us to lead by example by adopting best practice environmentally sustainable design features in our own facilities and buildings, while encouraging local commercial and residential developers to do the same,” he said.
“Stronger ESD requirements will help ensure that we are providing the climate-change resilient infrastructure that our community will need over the coming decades.”
Under the proposed amendment changes, new developments would:
* Better manage water use and collection;
* Protect and enhance greening and biodiversity within new buildings;
* Be more resilient to changing climate impacts; and
* Provide a healthier, more comfortable environment for the current and future community.
Cr Tran said the amendment would ensure new projects delivered meaningful ESD outcomes.
“We are pleased to be joining with councils from across the state on this incredibly important work,” he said.
“While local government has been taking the lead towards net zero carbon in new builds, we need government across all levels – local, state and federal – to work together if we want to create real change.”
The councils would be undertaking this work as members of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment with support from the Municipal Association of Victoria.
