We are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pressure on our natural resources. To prepare for the future, we need a long-term plan that strengthens resilience and supports our community.

The new strategy will:

• guide Council’s sustainability direction to 2040
• align with our Community Vision
• bring together all of our environmental priorities
• embed Caring for Country into how we care for the local environment

The new Environment Strategy will bring together all of our environmental priorities in one place.

It will help us respond to the climate emergency, protect our natural environment and support our community to live more sustainably.

The new strategy will guide how we:

• reduce emissions
• build local climate resilience
• protect and enhance biodiversity and connection to nature
• become more water sensitive and flood ready
• transition to a circular, sustainable, and resource-conscious economy

We will continue to work with First Peoples to ensure Caring for Country principles guide how we care for our environment.

The strategy will be supported by two-year rolling action plans. These plans will help us stay flexible, practical and responsive as conditions change.

Council’s existing environmental strategies include:

• Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2022
• Sustainable Environment Strategy 2018-2023
• Towards Zero Carbon: Our Climate Emergency Action Plan 2021-2024
• Towards a Circular Economy: Our Future Waste Strategy 2022-2025

Rather than renewing each document separately, we’re bringing all priorities together into one overarching and long-term strategy supported by short-term action plans.
This aligns with Council’s decision to elevate Sustainable Environment as a key direction in the new Council Plan 2025–2029.

Retiring these strategies does not change Council’s climate emergency declaration, net zero target, or existing commitments.

We believe integrated challenges need integrated solutions, and one cohesive strategy will help streamline and strengthen our environmental action.

We’re using a range of activities to help shape the new Environment Strategy, including:

• online survey
• prioritisation activity
• ideas board
• online and in-person workshops
• pop ups across Stonnington
• interactive social media content

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We’re also engaging directly with Traditional Custodians, environmental community groups, schools, and other local and regional stakeholders.

This mix of activities will make sure we hear from all corners of the Stonnington community, so the strategy reflects local values, needs and aspirations.

What your input can influence

Your feedback will help Council to:

• decide which actions to focus on and how to prioritise investment across different environmental priorities
• shape how we support the community to reduce environmental impact, care for nature in Stonnington, and adapt to climate change
• inform Council’s advocacy on environmental issues

What your input can’t influence

Your feedback will not:

• change Council’s legal and regulatory responsibilities
• change the overall direction or scope of the Environment Strategy
• lead to major changes to existing services in the short term

This process builds on engagement completed over the past 24 months, including engagement that informed:

• Council Plan 2025-2029
• Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029
• Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027
• Neighbourhood Activity Centres Framework
• Housing Strategy 2025
• Draft Transport Strategy 2040
• Draft Open Space Strategy

It is also informed by past consultation we undertook on our existing environmental strategies and action plans.