Environment

Whether it’s managing biodiversity, biosecurity, climate change, contaminated lands, water resources, sustainability or roadside environments, councils play a critical role in educating households and businesses on environment policy, as well as driving environmental programs and initiatives in their local communities.

Natural Resource Management
Local councils play a key role in managing and protecting our natural resources, including a range of Natural Resource Management (NRM) responsibilities as defined under the Local Government Act 1993.

The Act directs councils to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the local environment for which it’s responsible, in a manner that’s consistent with and promotes the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development. 

What’s more, councils have a range of functions, powers and responsibilities that can influence NRM on public and private land. This includes strategic planning and development control, managing public land, and regulating private activities. NRM activities include biosecurity, stormwater, biodiversity, roadside environmental management, water quality, as well as restoration and rehabilitation of habitat and support to local bush care and land care activities.

Pollution regulation
The Protection of the Environment (Operations) Act 1997 is the main legislation that enables councils to regulate and monitor the environmental impact of activities and (unlicensed) premises in their local area. Under the Act, councils can investigate complaints and issue prevention notices and clean up notices.

Please select from the below options to learn more about the environment policy support we provide.