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Environment Plan AdoptedBass Coast’s array of natural wonders will be preserved for future generations after Bass Coast Shire Council adopted the Environment Sustainability Plan 2008-2013 at its July meeting. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 21st July 2008 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Environment Manager, Paul Smith, said the aim of the Plan is to ensure that the natural values of Bass Coast will be managed sustainably and will be available for future generations to enjoy.
"This includes our clean waterways, beautiful beaches and bushland reserve areas," said Mr Smith.
"To help us manage these areas sustainably, the Plan focuses on Council decision making, service provision, operations and reserve management.
"The Plan’s 11 priority issues were developed following a lengthy public consultation process," continued Mr Smith.
"It sets out clear directions for Council to ensure the environment is taken care of and preserved for the next five years."
Mr Smith said the Plan highlight areas that directly affect the community’s quality of life, including biodiversity, managing beaches and bushland reserves, clean productive agriculture, climate change impacts, efficient use of resources, minimising and recovery of waste, managing pollution, litter and stormwater quality, the urban environment and land use, the economy, community involvement and Council procedures and implementing the plan.
"There are Policies that need to be considered in our planning and operations and a series of tasks that will need to be undertaken to meet the objectives and targets for each of these priority issues," said Mr Smith.
"These tasks and policies will target services, actions and localities that will make a difference for the community by legislating, planning, managing, funding or by raising awareness through education and training."
The natural environment is the focus of the Environment Sustainability Plan. The Plan outlines how this focus will deliver beneficial outcomes for the community, with an aim to achieving positive health and social outcomes and increased economic benefits, particularly in agriculture and tourism.
"The region continues to be one of the fastest growing municipalities in Victoria," explained Mr Smith.
"This constant increase in population and visitor numbers prompts a need for more infrastructure and buildings, which can have a negative impact on the environment.
"The Plan recognises this and will protect and manage the natural environment to balance out the impacts experienced from growth," Mr Smith continued.
"Our community is becoming more aware that it is reliant on the natural environment for its quality of life and Council needs to act to ensure these things are maintained."
"This Plan will allow programs amd projects that deliver environmental and sustainability outcomes for Council to be delivered in a coordinated, integrated and targeted manner."
A copy of the Environment Sustainability Plan 2008-2013 is available by visiting Council’s website www.basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au or by contacting 1300 BCOAST (226 278).
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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