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Environmental Strategy

Sustainability Street

Council, as part of the Environmental Sustainability Road Map, will be introducing 'Sustainability Street' to Monash. 'Sustainability Street' is an innovative community development program which educates and engages community members in sustainable living practices and initiatives.

There are more than 300 'Sustainability Street' communities in Victoria and NSW already with the program soon to be piloted in the United Kingdom. The majority of 'Sustainability Street' graduates report an improved connection with neighbours, up to a 30% reduction in waste, water and energy and a greater participation in the creation of local projects such as community gardens.

For further information please call James Collins on 9518 3561.

Environmental Sustainability Road Map

Monash's sustainable journey...

For some time, the global scientific community has been presenting evidence that human activity has and will continue to contribute to climate change. Responding to this is a pressing challenge as it impacts our energy and water usage, transportation methods, the costs of extreme weather events and our enjoyment of open space and the natural environment.

Council currently spends in excess of $1.2 million each year on environmentally sustainable initiatives. Some of these include the installation of solar panels and solar hot water systems, purchase of low energy appliances, community education programs, stormwater harvesting projects, installation of gross pollutant traps, conversion of sporting fields to warm season grasses, backwash recycling at aquatic centres, universal waste collection service, creek habitat corridor restoration program, tree planting within streetscapes and parklands and developing the Council's shared path network.

Council identified the need to develop a strategic document that would guide Monash's sustainable journey into the future.

The Road Map focuses on environmental aspects and outlines the actions that Council will undertake to make Monash a more sustainable city. While it's primary focus is on the environment, the outcomes of the Road Map will also have many social and economic benefits for the community.

Environmental Sustainability Road Map (2,810 Kb)
Road Map at a glance (316 Kb)

Greenhouse Action Plan

In 2002, Monash demonstrated its commitment to greenhouse gas abatement by joining the voluntary based Cities for Climate Protection^TM program.

City of Monash Greenhouse Action Plan - 2003 (505 Kb)

As part of the program, the Greenhouse Action Plan was developed which identified the key opportunities and challenges associated with greenhouse gas abatement and set a target of 15% reduction in corporate greenhouse gas emissions and 10% in community greenhouse gas emissions.

The activities implemented from the Action Plan include:

retrofitting buildings with energy efficient appliances, such as time switches controlling energy use, efficient air conditioners and heaters and 5 star gas instantaneous hot water services;
reducing waste-to-landfill by introducing and improving kerb-side recycling and green waste collection;
passive solar designed buildings that minimise the need for energy consumption for heating and cooling; and
the purchasing of fuel efficient cars, including replacing utility vehicles with 2 door hatchbacks and Diesel fuelled vehicles.

City of Monash Water Use Management Strategy

This Strategy aims to provide strategic guidance on the way Council manages both water consumption and water quality within its operations. The Strategy does not cover water use or water quality impacts by the community. This Strategy also aims to assist in meeting the requirements of the ICLEI Water Campaign TM, which Council joined in 2007.

Water Use Management Strategy (1,993 Kb)

Stormwater Management

Much of the water ends up in our local waterways is from stormwater, is essential that best practice stormwater management be observed. As such, Monash Council has a storm water management plan, which aims to improve our stormwater system.

Learn how to protect our local waterways by reducing stormwater pollution.

Stormwater Information Pamphlets - Residents and Food Business:

Information for Residents ( 2 pages, 2.1 MB)
Information for Food Business ( 2 pages, 1.6 MB)

City of Monash Graffiti Removal

Graffiti can be defined as the process of defacing property, often with explicit and offensive material. Graffiti is the end result of this process.

The unchecked sprawl of graffiti has the potential to seriously undermine the attractiveness of the City.

The City of Monash Infrastructure Division's Environmental Management System (EMS)

The City of Monash has developed an Environmental Management System for its Infrastructure Services (IFS) Division to incorporate the principles of sustainability into all the division's operations.

As part of the EMS process IFS has developed an Environmental Policy, which provides a set of strategic directions to be considered in IFS everyday actions.

City of Monash Infrastructure Division Environmental Policy

Policy available for Public View at Infrastructure Services Reception

City of Monash Litter Prevention Strategy

Councils are in a unique position to undertake a key role in controlling and managing litter. This litter strategy has been developed within the broad framework of the Victorian Litter Strategy Issues Paper1. It focuses on a strategy involving the three critical elements in changing littering behaviours: Education, Infrastructure, and Enforcement.

Litter Prevention Strategy (1,213 Kb)