Changing climate and a circular economy
Key issues: Sustainability & Climate Change
Current situation
The MAV recognises we are in a climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government. Victorian councils have a strong track record of working to reduce emissions and increase organisational and community resilience to climate impacts. Improved state-wide policy settings are urgently needed to support this work.
What we need from the state government
- A commitment to embed climate change as a priority consideration in land use planning legislation and the Victorian Planning Provisions in the life of the next Parliament
- Schedule 1 of the Climate Change Act amended to include decisions under planning, transport, agriculture, and energy legislation
- Establishment of a new strategic partnership between state and local government to accelerate the transition to net zero and to strengthen community resilience, with funding support for councils to reduce and manage climate risks
- Funding support for the implementation of priority urban greening projects
- A commitment to provide councils with the powers and capability to manage public drainage and stormwater assets to withstand more intense storm events and to achieve better use of stormwater and continued innovation in integrated water management
- A commitment to respect and protect councils’ autonomy to determine the best recycling service models for their communities considering local conditions and community views
- A commitment to partner with the MAV to advocate for national product stewardship schemes and, where advocacy proves ineffective, introduce schemes at a state level.