Indigo’s Environmental Advisory Committee

Indigo Shire Council resolved to establish a Section 86 Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) at the June 2008 meeting.  At the October 2008 meeting Council further adopted the 24 members of the committee, comprising Councillors, Council staff, community, landcare, and NRM government representatives.  The member list is available for download below.

Establishment of the committee has been initiated as a result of increasing community concern regarding drought, bushfires, climate change, weeds and water, coupled with a need to ensure that new and existing environmental programs undertaken by Council are carried out in a strategic manner.  Over the past decade Councils have been delegated more and more roles in environmental management.  Traditionally, municipalities were primarily charged with the responsibility of waste, whereas now Councils are also involved in issues such as stormwater, roadsides conservation, firewood, Code of Forest Practice, biodiversity, water conservation and most recently climate change.

The Committee’s role, within the Instrument of Delegation has been defined as:

“to provide advice to Council on the development of Council policy as it relates to environmental and sustainability matters”

Within the Instrument of Delegation to objectives of the group have defined as:

1.                  To provide a recognized forum that Council and community alike can refer environmental concerns for further consideration.

2.                  To provide advice on the development of an environment strategy, in particular:

§                     The community engagement process;

§                     The range of issues to be addressed within the strategy;

§                     Identification of actions to address issues; and

§                     Targets and timeframes for actions.

3.                  To provide recommendations to Council about the means to encourage and support increased community awareness and understanding of environmental and sustainability matters.

4.                  To provide advice on the implementation and ongoing review of the environment strategy, when adopted;

5.                  To provide advice on the review or development of other environmental Council plans;

6.                  To provide recommendations to Council, as necessary, to ensure environmental programs, both internally and externally funded, are consistent with priorities identified in the environment strategy.

7.                  To provide advocacy for Council’s environmental portfolio within other forums and within the community;

8.                  To provide input on special projects where directed by Council.   

Minutes from the meeting, as well as more reader friendly versions of these – communiqués – are available for downloading below.  Requests for further information or queries can be directed to NRM Officer Shay Simpson (02) 6028 1100 or ssimpson@indigoshire.vic.gov.au