Agenda of Sustainable Futures Committee

Sustainable Futures Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 29 November, 2017

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Please note: Council’s Code of Meeting Practice permits the electronic recording and broadcast of the proceedings of meetings of the Council which are open to the public. Your attendance at this meeting is taken as consent to the possibility that your image and/or voice may be recorded and broadcast to the public.

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Confirmation of Minutes

· Sustainable Futures Committee - 12 October 2017.................................................... 1

3. Declarations of Interest

4. Presentations

SF17.28....... Renewable Energies - Glen Conway Principal Engineer - Wollongong GHD

Glen Conway has recently joined the Wollongong team (GHD) as a Principal Engineer in the field of renewable energies. Glen has experience in technology assessment, planning and delivering utility scale renewable energy technologies including solar PV, wind and biomass/biogas and also technologies that enable renewable technology such as energy storage. Glen is a technical advisor to the Federal Government (ARENA) and has advised on battery energy storage, hydrogen, solar PV, bioenergy and biofuels. Of particular interest is work that Glen has recently performed on integrating battery energy storage into on-grid and off-grid applications. Whilst battery technology costs are falling, the applications of batteries and solar PV can offer industrial customers and government agencies improved power quality and reliability as well as potential to optimise utilisation of renewable resources e.g. solar PV. Locally Glen is also assisting a high school assess the potential to install solar PV to reduce long term energy costs. Glen would be happy to discuss opportunities for the council relating to its own requirements or opportunities in the broader Shoalhaven community.

SF17.20....... Daniel Jones - Repower Shoalhaven

5. Reports

SF17.29....... Terms of Reference Clarification - Purpose................................................... 7

SF17.26....... Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy................................... 21

SF17.30....... Nature-based solutions - urban ecology - options for Implementation........ 41

SF17.31....... Draft Shoalhaven City Council Sustainable Futures Committee Strategy Outcomes Hierarchy...................................................................................................... 49

SF17.32....... Proposed Street Tree Policy Amendments.................................................. 55

SF17.33....... Climate Change - Impacts on Human Health.............................................. 57

6. General Business

SF17.17....... ENOVA - Renewable Energy Retailer

Sustainable Futures Committee at its meeting on 17 August 2017 resolved that the matter be deferred to the meeting to be held on 12 October 2017

This item has been requested for discussion by Mr Oisin Sweeney. ENOVA is a company based in the northern rivers that offers a model in advance of this discussion. https://enovaenergy.com.au/about-us/

Minutes of the Sustainable Futures Committee

Meeting Date: Thursday, 12 October 2017

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 4:05pm

The following members were present:

Clr Kaye Gartner – Chairperson

Clr Patricia White

Clr Amanda Findley

Clr Mark Kitchener

Mr David Brawn

Mr Oisin Sweeney

Mr Robert Hayward

Mr Peter McVay

Ms Larraine Larri

Others present:

Carmel Krogh – Director Shoalhaven Water

Phil Costello – Director Planning Environment Development Services

Kelie Clarke – Environmental Services Manager

Michael Smith – Team Supervisor - Environmental Planning and Assessment Officer

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from: Clr Levett, Clr Cheyne

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Clr Findley / Peter McVay)

That the Minutes of the Sustainable Futures Committee held on Thursday 17 August 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Peter McVay noted that the purpose of the Committee had changed and asked for clarification, noting that the purpose should be the one endorsed by Council (i.e. consists of 6 points). The Committee discussed the issue and agreed.

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Presentations

SF17.20 Daniel Jones - Repower Shoalhaven

HPERM Ref: D17/248868

RESOLVED (By consent)

The Repower Shoalhaven presentation to be deferred to the next scheduled meeting on 29 November 2017.

CARRIED

SF17.21 Larraine Larri - Presentation - Community Engagement in Environmental Issues

HPERM Ref: D17/291839

Larraine Larri provided a presentation to the Committee.

It was noted that the Committee work on an outcomes hierarchy and see where it goes.

Noting what the committee want to achieve.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Committee make reference to the program logic report when determining the outcomes hierarchy.

CARRIED

Reports

SF17.24 Sustainable Business Practices In Local Government

HPERM Ref: D17/328542

Peter McVay spoke about the newsletter produced by the Office of Local Government which outlines new inititatives being undertaken.

Peter spoke about the following:

There is a strong business case for sustainability
Importance of the billing system
Emmission reduction
Reducing bushfire risk
Importance of local investors
Importance of an action plan & setting priorities

Members discussed risk assessment and objectives.

It was suggested that community members could have discussions with directors of groups regarding how to make a contribution.

RESOLVED (Peter McVay / Clr Gartner)

That the report regarding sustainable business practices in Local Government be received for information.

CARRIED

SF17.22 Renewable Energy Management - Progress	HPERM Ref: D17/314816
Note: The Committee noted the Resourcing Process.
Recommendation That the Committee note the resourcing process and support the preparation of documents for Expressions of Interest for land-based and floating solar projects
Recommendation (Clr White / Peter McVay) That Council support the preparation of documents for Expressions of Interest for land-based and floating solar projects with different funding models. CARRIED

SF17.15 Helping Nature Help People

HPERM Ref: D17/253999

Note: This item was deferred from the meeting held 17 August 2017.

Oisin Sweeney addressed the Committee in relation to the report.

Note: Clr Kitchener left the meeting at 6.06pm

Recommendation

That Shoalhaven City Council develop and implement a Policy to facilitate nature-based solutions to ensure Shoalhaven residents have resilient communities in wildlife-friendly surrounds.

Recommendation (Clr White / Clr Findley)

That Council investigate the development and implementation of a Policy to facilitate nature-based solutions to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of Shoalhaven residents and their environments, starting with the urban canopy as a nature based solution.

CARRIED

SF17.23 Weird Winter	HPERM Ref: D17/323868
Note: Clr Gartner addressed the Committee and noted the previous recommendation below.
Recommendation That 1. The Committee receives the Climate Council Report on Australia’s 2017 Winter Weather 2. The Committee prepare a summary, including the rainfall graphic and bushfire graphic, to inform our community and advise of increased risks to our community, which currently are bushfire events and water restrictions 3. This summary and graphics be posted on Council Facebook and webpages
RESOLVED (Clr Gartner / Robert Hayward) That: 1. The Committee receives the Climate Council Report on Australia’s 2017 Winter Weather. 2. Use the graphics from climate councils website as a contribution to the your neighbourhood newsletter. CARRIED

SF17.24 Sustainable Business Practices In Local Government

HPERM Ref: D17/328542

Item dealt with earlier in the meeting.

SF17.25 Discussion Paper on Progressing the Committee Agenda

HPERM Ref: D17/328567

The Committee discussed this Item and raised the two following points:

The Committee could invite Group Directors to workshop with the Committee on the pledges
The Committee members could workshop a framework then bring back to the Committee for adoption then to Council for resolution.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Sustainable Future Committee begin:

1. Implementation such as through a prioritised action plan. This should assign clear responsibilities, identify all significant actions/risks and budget/investment requirements, consider timeframes and standardised reporting on progress to completion. Establishing small working groups involving staff, (councillors?) and community representatives on each of the agreed pledges may be useful in progressing the agreed initiatives;

2. Identifying what actions might be added to the agreed pledges to address the documented purpose of the committee. For example, what gaps are there in council’s adaptation strategy for climate change such as in relation to fire risk, storm/flooding risk, delineation of hazard lines, et al. Is the strategy using adaptive management to regularly review risks and actions?

3. Establishing the priorities to improve sustainability within the Shoalhaven LGA? eg promoting: local community and market gardens; local produce markets; local energy security projects such as solar gardens in addition to those on council land; community transport, etc

4. identifying the best ways to progress community education/engagement about sustainability and the potential impacts of climate change. Options might include an electronic newsletter from the committee, press releases to local media, local seminars possibly jointly with bodies such as Emergency Services, the Rural Fire Service and National Parks, social media focus, building reference groups of local champions within the community and local businesses on different initiatives, etc

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the report regarding Discussion paper on Progressing the Committee Agenda be received for information and Peter McVay submit a further report to the next meeting.

CARRIED

General Business

SF17.17 ENOVA - Renewable Energy Retailer

HPERM Ref: D17/254057

Note: this item be deferred to the next meeting for further discussion.

Sustainable Futures Committee at its meeting on 17 August 2017 resolved that the matter be deferred to the meeting to be held on 12 October 2017

Addendum Reports

SF17.27 Education for Locals and Tourists

HPERM Ref: D17/331910

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That:

1. The Committee commence a community education program for locals and tourists this summer.

2. Committee invite Communications staff to a round table discussion of themes for 2017 summer season.

3. This roundtable discuss how committee members can contribute content to the summer communications program.

RESOLVED (Oisin Sweeney / David Brawn)

That:

1. The Committee commence a community education program for locals and tourists this summer.

2. Committee invite Communications staff to a round table discussion of themes for 2017 summer season.

3. This roundtable discuss how committee members can contribute content to the summer communications program.

CARRIED

SF17.26 Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

HPERM Ref: D17/325038

Note: this item be deferred to the next meeting for further discussion.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee discuss the invitation to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

SF17.27 Education for Locals and Tourists

HPERM Ref: D17/331910

Item dealt with earlier in the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.25pm.

Clr Kaye Gartner

CHAIRPERSON

Sustainable Futures Committee – Wednesday 29 November 2017

Page 7

SF17.29 Terms of Reference Clarification - Purpose

HPERM Ref: D17/356866

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Human Resources, Governance & Customer Service

Attachments: 1. Report to Climate Change Action Committee - 6 April 2017 ⇩

2. Sustainable Futures Committee Terms of Reference - Report Attachment ⇩

3. Current Terms of Reference - Adopted by Council Tuesday 26 April 2017 ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To clarify the adopted ‘purpose ‘of the Sustainable Futures Committee following discussion at the last meeting.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee receive the report – Terms of Reference Clarification - Purpose for information.

Options

1. As recommended

Implications: nil

2. The Committee make alterations to the Terms of Reference for adoption by Council

Implications: Nil

Background

At the Sustainable Futures Committee Meeting held on 12 October 2017, members queried the purpose of the Committee as stated on the agenda and asked that it be updated to reflect the current adopted purpose (comprised of 6 points) for the Committee.

At the Council Meeting held 20 December 2016, the Council resolved as follows: MIN16.1054

“That Council:

1. Endorse the membership of the Climate Change Action Committee consisting of all Councillors and the General Manager;

2. Endorse the Purpose of the Climate Change Action Committee as follows:

a. To make recommendations to improve Councils response to potential impacts of climate change.

b. To improve sustainability within the Shoalhaven Local Government area.

c. Develop a Prioritised Action Plan that will empower the Shoalhaven Community to be more sustainable and improve the sustainability of Council operations and activities.

d. Identify and action funding opportunities which will improve Council’s sustainability and its understanding and readiness of potential impacts of climate change.

e. Identify ways to educate the community about sustainability and the potential impacts of climate change.

f. Display strong leadership to the community by recommending sustainability and resilience building actions to Council for consideration

3. That the quorum for the Committee be 5.”

A Report was submitted to the Climate Change Action Committee including a new draft Terms of Reference at the meeting held on Thursday 6 April 2017 (attached).

The Terms of Reference were workshopped further at the meeting and reported to Council for endorsement at the next Council Meeting, held Tuesday 26 April 2017.

The current purpose of the Committee as adopted on 26 April 2017 states as follows:

“The Sustainable Futures Committee will make recommendations to Council with respect to the following:

• Setting emission targets for the Shoalhaven.

• Focusing on energy, including energy efficiency, energy security and renewable energy generation as well as other climate change issues

• Creating and building community capacity for environmentally sustainable living and business.

• Addressing, adapting and building resilience to climate change.

• Appropriate ways to protect, connect and integrate ecological values within our urban and regional context.

• Supporting and promote Waste reduction and resource recovery.

• Building organisational and community capacity to meet the challenges of climate change.

• Engage with and learn from our community business and industry leaders on innovative solutions.

• Establish and/or support renewable energy generation projects in the community.

• Ensure the currency of related strategy, policy and other key Council documents related to the purpose of the Committee.”

The above Terms of Reference adopted by Council, including the purpose, have remained the same since Tuesday 26 April 2017. This confirms that the purpose shown on the agenda paper and in the terms of reference are current.

Should the Committee wish to make amendments to the Terms of Reference (attached) an alternate recommendation to Council can be made.

Sustainable Futures Committee – Wednesday 29 November 2017

Page 21

SF17.26 Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

HPERM Ref: D17/325038

Group: Planning Environment & Development Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Invitation to Join the Global Covenant ⇩

2. Global Covenant Information Pack ⇩

Sustainable Futures Committee at its meeting on 12 October 2017 resolved that the matter be deferred to the meeting to be held on 29 November 2017.

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Committee of an invitation to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee discuss the invitation to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

Options

1. Join the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Implications: Demonstration of leadership to the community. Council will need to identify how the three key commitments of this program will be achieved. Council does not have a dedicated position with capacity to undertake these tasks. However, we have committed to setting a reduction target and doing a level of emissions assessment through the Cities Power Partnership program, so some of the reportables will be similar for both programs. The question is whether Council wants to join a second program with similar requirements and vision.

2. Do not join the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Implications: Council has recently joined the Cities Power Partnership program which has five key measures that Council has committed too. The extra reporting requirements of a second program will be avoided by not joining the Covenant.

Background

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is the largest coalition of local governments participating in climate action. It is an international effort where Mayors, councils and local communitites are working together to achieve local solutions.

On hundred and twenty countries are involved in this Covenant. In Australia, 22 local councils have joined. If Council chooses to join they will be committing to a multi year program of measurement, verification and reporting. This will require:

· Development of a community greenhouse emission inventory and hazard assessment within the first 12 months of membership.

· Setting a greenhouse reduction target within 24 months

· Submitting a Climate Action Plan within 3 years.

ICLEI will provide a range of supporting software tools to assist member councils to meet the membership requirements. Membership will also result in an invitation to the Climate Summit of Local and Regional Leaders in Bonn Germany from 6-17 November 2017.

Financial Implications

If Council joins this program, resourcing will need to be identified to fulfil the three reportable commitments identified in this report.

Sustainable Futures Committee – Wednesday 29 November 2017

Page 41

SF17.30 Nature-based solutions - urban ecology - options for Implementation

HPERM Ref: D17/383454

Group: Planning Environment & Development Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Concept Streetscaping Options ⇩

Purpose / Summary

At its meeting held on 12 October 2017, the Sustainable Futures Committee resolved that Council investigate the development and implementation of a policy to facilitate nature-based solutions to ensure Shoalhaven residents have resilient communities in wildlife-friendly surrounds.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee

1. Undertake a selected audit of the urban tree canopy to help Council understand the economic and other values trees provide to the communities of the Shoalhaven; and

2. Invite Sutherland Shire Council to present their award winning model for bringing back an indigenous tree canopy with a view to implementing such a model in the Shoalhaven; and

3. Establish an internal working group with representatives from Environmental Services, Recreation Community & Culture, City Design Unit and Strategic Planning to investigate options for amendments to the DCP to incorporate the practical retention of remnant vegetation generally and specifically in urban release areas.

Options

1. As recommended.

a. Undertake a selected audit of the urban tree canopy to help Council understand the economic and other values trees provide to the communities of the Shoalhaven.

b. Invite Sutherland Shire Council to present their award-winning model for bringing back an indigenous tree canopy with a view to implementing such a model in the Shoalhaven.

c. Establish an internal working group with representatives from Environmental Services, City Design Unit and Strategic Planning to investigate options for amendments to the DCP to incorporate the practical retention of remnant vegetation generally and specifically in urban release areas.

Implications: The Committee would need to allocate part of its budget to the implementation of this recommendation.

2. Council not undertake an urban tree canopy audit and amendments to its DCP.

Implications: Potentially the urban tree canopy will continue to decline, as there is no active replacement program.

3. Alternative recommendation.

Implications: Unknown

Background

Retaining native trees and other vegetation in urban areas is important for a number of reasons

· Mitigating the impacts of climate change – Climate Change is projected to increase temperatures in Sydney with maximum temperatures projected to increase by 0.7°C by 2030, with changes in land-use having the potential to double the temperature increases caused by climate change in urban environments. Change in land-use from grasslands to medium density has the greatest increase in heat (0.4°C – 0.9°C for the Illawarra). http://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/Impacts-of-climate-change/Heat/Urban-heat

http://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/Climate-projections-for-NSW/Climate-projections-for-your-region/Illawarra-Climate-Change-Downloads

· Public amenity – trees add and make our living spaces more attractive, and provide health benefits in terms of providing protection and shade during hotter months, and absorbing CO2 and pollutants.

· Provide habitat for native fauna, particularly in passive open space reserves that require rehabilitation.

Issues

Trees are disappearing from existing urban areas as older trees die or are removed and not replaced. This is illustrated in the example below in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: Aerial photograph 2001 – Sanctuary Point area

Figure 2: Aerial photograph (latest imagery from Council GIS)

Trees (particularly Eucalypt species) in existing urban areas are often removed out of safety concerns, due to damage to infrastructure, and leaf and fruit drop into pools and onto footpaths causing maintenance issues and safety concerns. There are opportunities to bring back an “indigenous tree canopy”. Sutherland Shire Council have developed a successful model to reintroduce native trees into their urban areas. This program recently won an LG NSW Excellence in the Environment Award.

https://lgnsw.org.au/files/imce-uploads/90/Sutherland_bringing_back_canopy.pdf

The trend to smaller lot sizes and larger houses means retaining trees or providing space for trees in new urban release areas into the future will be difficult (see attached concept indicative plan layout below).

Referring to the indicative layout above, there are opportunities to rehabilitate proposed E2 zoned areas of currently degraded drainage lines in paddocks but rehabilitation will have to take into account a potential bushfire risk, and the costs of rehabilitation and ongoing management. There are opportunities to use native species in street-scaping (see attachment 1).

Planning for Bushfire Protection (PBP) 2006 lists the attributes of plants more suitable for planting in areas of bushfire prone land. Plants that have leaves with a higher moisture (mesic), less bark that is available as fuel and lower levels of leaf drop all assist in reducing bushfire attack levels.

Whilst the environmental and social values of trees and vegetation are widely known, there is usually no economic value assigned to them. In order to give remnant native vegetation a greater chance of being retained or planted, determining the dollar value of urban trees would be of benefit when decision makers assess applications for tree removal and new planning proposals. There are tools (see links below) that can be used to obtain a dollar value for trees in urban areas.

https://www.itreetools.org/

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/themoney/turning-a-new-leaf:-the-value-of-green-investment/8858984

It is recommended that, as a first step, Council undertake an assessment to determine the value of our urban tree canopy of a sample location. This assessment should include defining what is the ‘urban tree canopy’ and how is it identified (e.g. is it location based, size of remnant/planted vegetation, trees within the streetscape and carparks or trees found in parks within CBD zones

Under the new NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, some vegetation is given an economic value. The NSW Biodiversity Offset Scheme (BOS) currently puts an economic value on native vegetation and the habitat value it provides for fauna. The BOS applies to some new developments in NSW that meet a number of thresholds and works by converting the remnant native vegetation to be lost to a development into a credit total (dollar value) to be retired before a development can commence.

https://www.landmanagement.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity-offsets-scheme/

Further information on beating the heat island effect with trees can be found in the following links, though not specifically about promoting urban ecology, demonstrate an opportunity to introduce “trees” into urban landscapes to the benefit of native fauna and humans.

https://landscapeaustralia.com/tags/urban-heat-island/

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0ahUKEwjM0eiP_M7XAhUCopQKHbyRDQ0QFghQMAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au%2FDocuments%2FWaste-and-Environment%2FCooling-the-City-Strategy%2F&usg=AOvVaw3ikSA0j-Z4xNe3EhOVinAm

Community Engagement

A model for bringing back our indigenous tree canopy provides an opportunity for Council to engage with the residents. For example, Council could ask for residents to nominate areas for replanting and if suitable, give them a choice of species to be used to help foster pride in their neighbourhood.

Policy Implications

Through the internal working group there will be opportunities to identify and incorporate the practical retention of remnant vegetation generally and specifically in urban release areas via the DCP review process.

Risk Implications

Looking into the future and given that trees are disappearing from the urban landscape, the risk of not promoting the use of indigenous native vegetation will see them continue to decline in number and the community will lose the benefits trees in particular provide in an urban landscape.

Proposed plantings will need to take into consideration safety and bushfire issues as per the current practices and legislation.

Another consideration is the life span and subsequent replacement costs of trees that do not survive or function as planned.

Sustainable Futures Committee – Wednesday 29 November 2017

Page 49

SF17.31 Draft Shoalhaven City Council Sustainable Futures Committee Strategy Outcomes Hierarchy

HPERM Ref: D17/387303

Submitted by: Larraine Larri

Attachments: 1. Draft Outcomes Hierarchy - for Discussion ⇩

Recommendation

That

1. The Sustainable Futures Committee accept the Draft Outcomes Hierarchy as a way of describing its strategy and use it as a point of reference for discussions within Shoalhaven City Council and externally with the broader Shoalhaven Community.

2. The Sustainable Futures Committee continue to update the draft as a result of engagement with the community or significant policy changes by federal or state governments impacting on the future of sustainable business practices.

3. A budget be considered and allocated by council with sufficient resources to support strategies that link with the achievement of agreed short-term and intermediate outcomes. Funding should be considered on a business case with offsets from unsustainable activities of council factored into the decision.

Details

Sustainable Futures Committee 12 October 2017 resolved that the idea of a Program Logic and Outcomes Hierarchy would be a useful tool in providing a framework for the Committee. During the discussion, I agreed to provide a draft Outcomes Hierarchy for discussion at the 29 November meeting. See SF17.21 on Community Engagement in Environmental Issues

Purpose: Consolidating the Sustainable Futures Committee Strategy

The Draft SCC Sustainable Futures Committee Strategy Outcomes Hierarchy (OH) is presented as a first step of an over-arching framework towards a ‘Sustainable Future for the Shoalhaven’.

The Outcomes Hierarchy brings together the range of activities that are already agreed to (e.g. City Power Partnerships) as well as ideas identified through current community networks (Berry Forum, Read Head Villages Association, Shoalhaven Transition, Sussex Inlet Strategic Planning^{^[1]}. Additional elements could be incorporated such as targets, tasks, and risk analysis.

By doing this, we are attempting to provide an holistic Shoalhaven-wide framework that connects internal SCC strategy and action with broader community expectations and emerging grassroots actions.

We hope that this can provide a clear starting point for conversation within Council to inform strategy and that it becomes useful as a reference point for Council Officers in current strategic and operational planning 2017/2018.

The OH approach is designed to help guide and prioritise SCC Council planning to achieve the desired changes.

Needs Assessment – Situational Analysis

A primary role of governments at all levels is to protect and secure the wellbeing of the community. Carbon emissions and the consequential climate impacts poses a clear and present threat to our community. Energy together with the multitude of products derived from fossil fuels are currently fundamental to our society and economy. We are faced with the immense challenge of transforming every aspect of the economy to alternate sources of energy and products. Reference to the proceedings of the recent UN Climate conference in Bonn illustrates the extent, difficulty and urgency of the task that confronts every nation and every community.^{^[2]} An article in the US BioScience Journal published on the 13^th Nov 2017 and endorsed by over 15000 scientist underlines the urgency for action with the warning of the risk for a global environmental collapse, whilst identifying the urgent actions required to avert this potential. ^{^[3]}

The NSW Government Climate Change Policy Framework(2016) ^{^[4]} aims to, ‘maximise the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of NSW in the context of a changing climate and current and emerging international and national policy settings and actions to address climate change’. The aspirational long-term goals are, to ‘Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050’ and ‘NSW is more resilient to a changing climate’. The state target and Framework provide a platform for Shoalhaven City Council to address its own policies and actions so as to prepare the community for the radical and transformed natural and economic environment. However, the implementation and commitment to these policy settings is not currently apparent. The apparent failures, at State, Federal and International level to initiate effective reductions in emissions has enhanced the need for SCC to address how it can address adaption and mitigation within its jurisdiction.

Adapting to climate change impacts is an important role for local government councils like the Shoalhaven. Climate change has the potential to damage council assets, cause serious disruptions to the delivery of council services, generate unbudgeted financial impacts and affect the health and wellbeing of the community, particularly those vulnerable to weather extremes. The elderly and low income households in higher risk local communities could be significantly impacted by extreme weather events.^{^[5]} This highlights the important role that local councils need to play in climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, implementing change inevitably involves the introduction of some new risks for council and/or the community. Risks should be identified and appropriately managed through sound, transparent business planning and risk management processes that include expected outcomes, gross and net costs, timeframes, risk treatments and investment options. These should underpin initiatives arising from the Sustainable Futures Committee. Engaging and informing the community in relation to new initiatives and the management of opportunities and risks is a critical function of the Committee.

Commonwealth Government organisations have a statutory requirement to report on their environmental performance and how they accord with and advance the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD).^{^[6]} Within NSW the Government Resource Efficiency Policy provides guidance for government operations to improve performance in the main areas of: energy, water and waste, and to reduce harmful air emissions. All general government sector agencies (NSW Treasury, 2015–16) are required to report annually on policy targets, actions and minimum standards by publishing financial year data and a statement of compliance.^{^[7]} Local Government NSW noted that:

‘Councils have a pivotal role in environmental management, including regulation and education. Increasingly, councils are pursuing initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint such as stormwater improvements, waste education, and biodiversity protection initiatives. Councils are also well placed to lead by example, and inform and encourage their communities (households, businesses etc) to take up environmental improvement programs and initiatives’.^{^[8]}

The lessons learned from other NSW local government councils (and local councils around Australia) are that more sustainable practices not only achieve better environmental outcomes but also save money. For example,

· in Eurobodalla Shire, emission reduction actions and achievements to date have demonstrated that there is a strong business case for action. Completed actions have generated significant energy cost savings totalling over $1 million per year. Council is on track to meet its commitment to reduce emissions by 25 per cent by 2020. A new corporate energy emissions reduction target of 80 per cent by 2030 has been established. An additional target will be to source 100 per cent of Council’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030. (Eurobodalla Shire Council, Emissions Reduction Plan, 2017-21);

· in the City of Parramatta the Resource Rescue and Reuse (The R3 program) was initiated as a means to reduce waste from the relocation of the City of Parramatta's main administration building and library in late 2015. The program rescued redundant resources such as stationery and furniture, reused them internally where possible and offered remaining items to local schools and community organisations to provide social and environmental benefits. As a result, Council was able to divert approximately 70 ute loads of material from landfill, while at the same time providing much needed resources to 52 schools, charities and community organisations to help them in delivering valuable services to local communities.^{^[9]}

· the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm is now live and feeding electricity into the power grid, making Sunshine Coast Council the first local government in Australia to offset 100 per cent of its electricity consumption with energy from a renewable source. The $50.4 million, 15MW solar farm, constructed at Vadora west of Coolum over the past 12 months with 57,960 panels, will feed into the Energex network and is estimated to save $22 million over 30 years after all costs are paid.^{^[10]}

On behalf of Peter McVay, Bob Hayward, Oisin Sweeney, David Brawn, Larraine J Larri,

Community Representatives Shoalhaven City Council Sustainable Futures Committee.

Sustainable Futures Committee – Wednesday 29 November 2017

Page 55

SF17.32 Proposed Street Tree Policy Amendments

HPERM Ref: D17/388411

Submitted by: David Brawn

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Sustainability Futures Committee approves the proposed amendments to the Tree Management Policy – Public Land (POL14/58) and Council be provided a report for consideration, and adoption of the proposed amendments.

Details

Purpose/Summary

The purpose of this paper is to explain the benefits of increasing the urban tree canopy in the Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) region and to recommend immediate amendments to the relevant street tree policy document (Tree Management Policy – Public Land) and Council’s property development policy to ensure that there is a requirement for developers to plant suitable street trees on public land adjacent to any new developments. There will be no cost to Council from making this policy change and minimal cost to the developer.

Further analysis will be conducted to assess the economic, environmental, health and societal benefits of making a further policy change to establish an extended urban tree canopy throughout the SCC region, adjacent to established properties.

Existing SCC Tree Management Policy – March 2015

Shoalhaven City Council’s (SCC) current policy for the management of street trees is stated in POL 14/58 “Tree Management Policy – Public Land” which was adopted by Council on 6 March 2015. The purpose of this policy was to manage the removal of trees and to only plant new trees to replace removed trees. The following extracts from the policy document confirm this position.

“The purposes of the Policy therefore are to:

· Provide a consistent framework to respond to requests for tree removal/ management by members of the public

· Provide an environmental approvals framework

· Provide a stream-lined environmental approvals procedure in specified circumstances (i.e. unlikely to have an environmental impact)”

“SCC recognises the value of trees for the provision of visual amenity, shade, fauna habitat, soil stability, erosion protection etc. and places a high importance on the protection and retention of trees. SCC also recognises the need to remove or prune trees where circumstances warrant such actions e.g. protection of life and property”

“SCC is committed to the ongoing amenity of the Shoalhaven and will implement or condition the installation of new trees wherever trees are removed from land that SCC manages”

The existing policy is therefore silent on installing new trees in new locations, including new developments and existing properties. Therefore, over time, the proportion of the SCC urban environment protected by a tree canopy will progressively decline as development progresses. Existing properties where street trees were not planted originally also do not benefit from the policy in terms of an extended tree canopy.

Benefits of an expanded urban tree canopy

The benefits of a healthy urban tree canopy are well known and extensively documented and are already recognised in the Council’s Tree Management Policy document.

The benefits include:

· Enhancing the sense of place and enjoyment for the local community

· Acting as a carbon sink to absorb atmospheric CO₂ emissions

· Countering the “heat island” effect in built up areas in towns and cities by shading hard surfaces to reduce surrounding temperatures

· Providing areas of shade and lower temperatures in residential areas for the community’s health and well-being – especially for older or sick people and children

· Reducing storm water run-off by intercepting rainfall with their leaves

· Filtering water run-off through their roots

· Removing gaseous pollutants from the air through absorption

· Capturing particulate air pollution through the canopy

· Protecting pavements and roadways from high temperatures and resurfacing needs

· Providing habitat for urban wildlife

· Improving real estate values for property owners

Proposal

That the Council’s “Tree Management Policy – Public Land” (POL 14/58) and the relevant development policy should be amended as follows:

· Require street trees to be planted as part of the development of new and existing properties, and be maintained for a 12 month period after planting. This will be funded by the developer

· The new street trees will be approved by Council and conform to Council tree planting guidelines

· A street tree plan be developed and managed by Council for new subdivisions

The normal Council approval procedures will be followed to adopt and implement the proposed changes to policy after approval by the Sustainable Futures Committee.

Implementation costs

There will be no costs to Council of implementing the proposed policy amendment and the cost to individual developers will be negligible compared to overall development costs.

[4] State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2016.

[5] Australia has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 Included in this policy is the national Renewable Energy Target (RET) designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector. The target for large-scale renewable generation of 33,000 GWh in 2020 which will mean that about 23.5 per cent of Australia’s electricity generation in 2020 will be from renewable sources.

[6] This is a statutory requirement for federal bodies under Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.