By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has taken its next big step as an environmental leader by outlining plans to reduce its ecological footprint while preserving native flora and fauna.
The council last Wednesday (17 September) launched its long awaited environmental strategy.
Mayor Tim Heenan said the strategy would provide a framework to guide future shire, community and land management groups’ in maintaining the region’s environment.
He said it had identified actions to reduce the impact of everyday consumption and waste generation.
Cr Heenan said the strategy would also pave the pay to preserve some of the shire’s most precious flora and fauna.
This includes all three of the state’s land-based emblems – the common heath, Leadbeater’s possum and the helmeted honeyeater.
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said the report had highlighted how important the issue of environment was to the wider Yarra Ranges community.
She said the council was often accused of being too green.
But Cr McRae said the environment was highlighted as one of the main priorities for residents in the shire as part of the Vision 2020 strategy.
“This is a shared vision,” she said
Cr Heenan said there was no doubt that significant environmental loss had occurred in the region in the past 200 years. But he said it was now up to the community and the shire to minimise any future losses.
“The Yarra Ranges is regarded as the lungs and water supply of Melbourne, therefore we have a responsibility to protect our environment for all Melburnians,” he said.
“Given the enormous pressures on our land, waterways and flora and fauna, it’s essential the decisions we make today, we make for the long-term sustainability of our environment and for future generations.”
Cr Heenan said the strategy was an important step forward in the journey for environmental sustainability.
The report aims to guide the shire, community and others in the management of the environment.
Copies of the strategy are now available from the shire’s community links in Monbulk, Upwey, Lilydale, Healesville and Yarra Junction.
