Agenda of Sustainable Futures Committee

Minutes of the Sustainable Futures Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 29 November 2017

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

Time: 4:00pm

The following members were present:

Clr Kaye Gartner - Chairperson

Clr Patricia White – left 6.15pm

Clr Levett

Clr Kitchener – left 6.17pm

Mr Russ Pigg - General Manager

Mr David Brawn

Mr Oisin Sweeney

Mr Robert Hayward

Mr Peter McVay

Ms Larraine Larri

Others present:

Craig Milburn – Director Finance Corporate and Community Services – left 6.15pm

Phil Costello – Director Planning Environment and Development

Carmel Krogh – Director Shoalhaven Water

Jessica Rippon – Communications Executive Manager

Michael Smith – Environmental Planning and Assessment Team Leader

Richard Birdsey – OEH

Glen Conway – Wollongong GHD

Stuart Clark - GHD

Daniel Jones – Repower Shoalhaven

The meeting was opened by an Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians by the Chairperson.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Clr Cheyne.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Minutes of the Sustainable Futures Committee held on Thursday 12 October 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Note: Carmel Krogh – Director Shoalhaven Water provided a verbal update on the project and resource. Council has engaged a part time resource (3 days per week) who was made redundant from TAFE. They will be commencing in January 2018. The project of looking at accounts has been put on hold until the resource commences.

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Presentations

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

HPERM Ref: D17/230208

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	HPERM Ref: D17/248868
Note: Clr Findley arrived, the time being 4.35pm.
Mr Daniel Jones from Repower Shoalhaven provided a presentation on Pump to Pump Hydro to the Sustainable Futures Committee.

SF17.34 OEH Briefing - Sustainability Advantage Program

HPERM Ref: D17/394336

A presentation by Richard Birdsey from OEH on Sustainability Advantage Program, a program that can assist at a number of levels, in particular:

• Developing a council wide action plan to implement the CPP including setting goals, targets and deliverables

• Engaging staff and stakeholders to support and implement the plan (behaviour and mindset change)

• Identifying opportunities to integrate sustainable and low carbon transport alternatives into existing transport networks

• Networking council staff with people in other councils who are implementing similar programs (e.g. we are working with Parkes Council to help build a water treatment plant to ISCAR standards).

Mr Richard Birdsey provided examples of work he had done with other Councils such as climate change adaptations.

The membership structure is one level and one standard fee of $4,000.

It was advised that the bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels are part of the recognition program. Shoalhaven City Council was a member a long time ago and this will be investigated as to how long ago and whether we are still considered a member.

The advice that Mr Richard Birdsey provided was to implement into what we already do and within the framework to get it in to daily plans.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That

1. The Sustainable Futures Committee receive report for information.

2. A working group be formed, consisting of Bob Hayward, Peter McVay, Clr Gartner, Clr White, Craig Milburn, to discuss if Sustainability Advantage Program is something the Sustainable Futures Committee want to be part of going forward

3. The working group meet with Richard Birdsey by the end of January 2018 to discuss

CARRIED

Reports

SF17.29 Terms of Reference Clarification - Purpose

HPERM Ref: D17/356866

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

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

RESOLVED (By consent)

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

CARRIED

SF17.26 Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

HPERM Ref: D17/325038

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.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee receive the report - Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy for information and reconsider joining in 12months time.

CARRIED

SF17.30 Nature-based solutions - urban ecology - options for Implementation	HPERM Ref: D17/383454
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.
Note: The Committee thanked Kelie Clarke and Michael Smith on getting the report together in the time frame.
RESOLVED (By consent) That the Committee 1. 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 2. 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 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 and report and liaise with the Committee. CARRIED

SF17.31 Draft Shoalhaven City Council Sustainable Futures Committee Strategy Outcomes Hierarchy	HPERM Ref: D17/387303
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.
Note: The Sustainable Futures Committee thanked Larraine Larri for her work on the report and presentation.
RESOLVED (By consent) 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. That the working party (Bob Hayward, Peter McVay, Clr Gartner, Clr White, Craig Milburn) evaluate the distribution of the budget, in line with the outcomes of the hierarchy and update the Sustainable Futures Committee at the next meeting. CARRIED

SF17.32 Proposed Street Tree Policy Amendments

HPERM Ref: D17/388411

The interest was triggered by the discussions around natured based solutions.

It was advised that Council has repeatedly cut trees down on nature strips without consultation and also planted trees on nature strips without consultation.

The Committee discussed that the current Policy does not contemplate adding new trees to the canopy or within the Shoalhaven for new subdivisions.

The Committee suggested reviewing the Sutherland Shires Canopy Strategy.

It could partially assist by becoming a requirement as part of developments such as new subdivisions that the developer be required by Council to plant a street tree.

Clr White advised in Camden Shire the Council do not plant street trees until approximately 80% of the entire development is built due to developers needing to access the nature strip to pour the concrete.

It was suggested that Council could investigate what other Councils have learnt.

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.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee make a submission to Council in relation to the document on exhibition currently - Streetscape Design Towns and Villages Policy, which closes 12 January 2018.

CARRIED

SF17.33 Climate Change - Impacts on Human Health

HPERM Ref: D17/388518

The attachment outlines the diverse ways that climate change is effecting communities’ health.

This report aims to add a moral level into decision making and not just black and white budget decisions.

Recommendation

That Shoalhaven City Council

1. Accepts as the basis for urgent action on climate change the Doctors for the Environment Australia fact sheet detailing the diverse human health and wellbeing impacts from climate change

2. Notes that action on climate change is necessary to address equity concerns that climate change will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable sectors of the community including the old, young and Aboriginal people and

3. Undertakes to communicate the health impacts of climate change to the community as a matter of urgency

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Sustainable Futures Committee:

1. Note the information provided by the attachment

2. Staff submit a report to Council containing the following recommendation from the Sustainable Futures Committee:

Council undertakes to communicate the health impacts of climate change to the community through the planned communication strategy.

3. Invite one of the Health Doctors to brief Councillors directly prior to the Council Ordinary Meeting that the report is being submitted to on the impacts of climate change on human health.

Note: That this not be actioned until someone is available to brief the Council.

CARRIED

General Business

SF17.17 ENOVA - Renewable Energy Retailer

HPERM Ref: D17/254057

Note: Clr White & Craig Milburn left the meeting, the time being 6.15pm.

Note: Clr Kitchener left the meeting, the time being 6.17pm

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. At the meeting on 12 October 2017 it was resolved that the matter be deferred to the meeting to be held on Wednesday 29 November 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/

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the information and attachment be received for information.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.17pm.

Clr Kaye Gartner

CHAIRPERSON

Sustainable Futures Committee – Monday 22 January 2018

Page 7

SF18.1 Committee Budget

HPERM Ref: D17/425034

Group: Planning Environment & Development Group

Section: Environmental Services

Purpose / Summary

To present to the Committee the recommendations from the working group in relation to the allocation of the Committee’s $50,000 budget

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee

1. Allocate $4,000 from its budget to join the NSW OEH Sustainability Advantage Program; and

2. Allocate up to $40,000 from its budget for staff resources to implement the Program; and

3. Allocate $6,000 from its budget to undertake a selected audit of the urban tree canopy; and

4. Should there be any remaining funds from the budget this be directed to the development of a communications plan.

Options

1. As recommended.

Implications: This will allow for Council to join the NSW OEH Sustainability Advantage Program and allocate resources to assist in implementation of this program within Council. Remaining funds would be directed to completing a selected audit of the urban tree canopy in accordance with the Committee’s previous resolution.

2. The Committee make an alternative recommendation.

Implications: Unknown.

Background

At its meeting on 29 November 2019, the Sustainable Futures Committee resolved that:

1. The Sustainable Futures Committee receive report for information.

3. The working group meet with Richard Birdsey by the end of January 2018 to discuss.

At its meeting on 29 November 2017, the Committee also resolved that:

“the working party (Bob Hayward, Peter McVay, Clr Gartner, Clr White, Craig Milburn) evaluate the distribution of the budget, in line with the outcomes of the hierarchy and update the Sustainable Futures Committee at the next meeting.”

The working group meet on 12 December 2017. Richard Birdsey, Senior Project Officer, Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) also attended to provide more information and answer questions about the sustainability advantage program.

The sustainability advantage program assists organisations across NSW to achieve increased competitiveness and improved bottom lines through better environmental practices. There are currently over 500 participants that have a combined saving of $95million a year through the program.

The working group agreed to recommend to the Committee that Council join the program, utilising $4,000 of the Sustainable Futures Committee budget. This will give Council access to all of the resources from the Program as well as 30 hours specialised support from an OEH consultant.

The working group also discussed the need for a dedicated staff resource to assist in developing a sustainability plan for Council. The working group agreed to recommend to the Committee that Council employ a fixed-term Sustainability Project Officer for 2 days a week for a period of six (6) months.

There was also discussion in regard to the allocation from this budget to implement the Committee’s resolution of 29 November 2017 (SF17.30) to:

“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.”

The working group agreed to recommend to the committee that this audit should be undertaken as the next priority action of the Committee.

The working group also agreed that, should there be any funds remaining within the budget, this should be allocated to the development of a communication plan for the Committee.

Policy Implications

The recommendations, if adopted will assist Council in developing a Sustainability Plan for Council and communicating sustainability actions of Council.

Financial Implications

The projects are to be funded from the Sustainable Futures Committee budget of $50,000.

Sustainable Futures Committee – Monday 22 January 2018

Page 9

SF18.2 Partnership with Griffith University

HPERM Ref: D18/12190

Group: Planning Environment & Development Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Griffith University proposal ⇩

Purpose / Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek support from the Committee to participate in a research project with Griffith University.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That

1. Council partner in a research project with Griffith University funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery grant titled “managing environmental change through planning for transformative pathways”; and

2. Interested Committee members participate in the project by attending workshops facilitated by Griffith University.

Options

1. As recommended.

Implications: Continue partnership with Griffith and Wollongong University’s. Council will receive practical policy approaches that could be used in planning for resilient communities and managing environmental and climate change.

2. Not participate in the research project.

Implications: Council, the Committee and the community will miss the opportunity to continue its partnership with Griffith University around community resilience planning.

Background

Professor Darryl Low Choy from Griffith University briefed Councillors on 18 August 2017 about the successful resilience planning project with the Sussex Inlet community. The project won two awards:

· 2017 Resilient Australia Awards – NSW - Highly Commended - Sussex Inlet & District Action Plan - Building Community Resilience

The Sussex Inlet and District Community Forum delivered a community-led strategic action plan designed to build resilience to future impacts of natural hazards, including engaging with the planning process of government and non-government agencies. Working in collaboration with Griffith University and Council, the project created a transferable model of community engagement for the emergency services for preparedness and planning.

https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/emergency-management/Awards/resilient-australia-awards/2017-Resilient-Australia-Awards.aspx

· Local Government NSW, Excellence in the Environment - Climate Change Action Award. https://lgnsw.org.au/events-training/excellence-environment-awards

Climate change risks facing the community were addressed in the plan. A two year process led to the creation of a vision for the area's future and a strategic action plan. This allowed the community to consider long term strategic issues and opportunities to build resilience to future impacts from natural hazards, and to engage with the various planning processes of local, state and federal governments.

A copy of the Plan can be viewed on the Sussex Inlet & District Community Forum website at

http://www.sussexdistrictsforum.com.au/strategic-action-plan/

At the briefing of Councillors, Professor Darryl Low Choy said that the University would like to continue its partnership with Council and outlined a proposal for a future research project. Councillors were supportive of a continued partnership with the University and suggested that community members of the Sustainable Futures Committee and Natural Resources & Floodplain Committee would be ideal participants in the project as both of the committee’s purpose and terms of reference align with resilience planning.

Research partnership proposal

The research project titled “managing environmental change through planning for transformative pathways”, will involve teams from both Griffith University and the University of Wollongong. A copy of the project proposal is contained within attachment 1.

This research is addressing the following question: “Given the increasing pressures of urbanisation and environmental change on peri-urban areas, how can planning systems be improved to avoid reaching socio-ecological and political-economic tipping-points and promote transformative pathways that ensure their socio-ecological viability?”.

A key outcome of the project includes the development of practical policy approaches that Council could consider utilising in the future. Griffith University will facilitate workshops with interested Committee members and use scenario based planning to develop an adaptation pathways plan.

Community Engagement

The proposal is to involve community members from both the Sustainable Futures Committee and Council’s Natural Resources & Floodplain Committee in workshops that are expected to be held on weekends. This report has also been submitted to the Natural Resources & Floodplain Committee seeking their support and participation in the project.

Policy Implications

This research project will build upon the work that the University and Council conducted with the Sussex Inlet community. Council also partnered in this project.

At the end of the process, the University will produce a report that includes an adaption pathways plan that Council can consider in future planning.

Financial Implications

There is no direct financial cost to Council. This research project is funded by the Australian Research Council. There will be an in-kind contribution from Council, as existing staff will assist the University in scheduling workshops and collating relevant Council data, as agreed by Council. This can be accommodated within existing resources.