Sunshine Coast Council has adopted a refreshed Environment and Liveability Strategy, with an increased focus on climate change, waste management and dark skies.
Councillor Maria Suarez said the strategy, adopted at council’s Ordinary Meeting on Thursday, was updated to “keep with the times”.
“Since council first endorsed this award-winning strategy in 2017 our region has continued to change, along with the available information and approaches we have to manage our environment and liveability,” she said.
“This refreshed strategy incorporates new information and strengthens the strategic foundation already established.
“We need these strategic directions for our region to be relevant with an approach that keeps with the times, reflecting our community’s needs and values.”
Councillor Peter Cox said council had consulted with community groups and the wider community through the Have Your Say website, to refresh the strategy’s strategic directions and implementation plan.
“We received more than 400 contributions from the community through workshops, surveys, online webinars and formal submissions during this two-stage consultation process between May and August,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone who engaged and told us what they viewed as the emerging issues or opportunities for the region, as well as priority actions for council, or gave their feedback on the draft changes.”
Cr Cox said the community reaffirmed key values previously heard, including retaining the distinct character, protecting natural assets, finding the balance, being sustainable and ongoing community involvement.
“What we also heard is that as we continue to plan for our increasing population, it is important that we ensure the quality of our way of life remains a priority,” he said.
“This means it’s important to retain focus on responding to climate change, providing access to affordable living options, ensuring communities are well serviced by appropriate infrastructure such as public and active transport networks, and greening our neighbourhoods.
“Monitoring and tracking the strategy’s implementation progress and effectiveness is critical, and was something the community also underlined during this engagement.”
Key changes to strategy
- Recognition of the Sunshine Coast’s UNESCO Biosphere status
- Incorporation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Recognition of the state of climate emergency and strengthening of climate change wording
- Recognition of dark skies and associated planning
- Strengthening waste strategic directions
- Revised tasks to reflect the priorities necessary to deliver on transformational actions across the next five years and to be considered in annual operational planning
Strategy highlights since 2017
- International recognition of the Sunshine Coast local government area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Expanding green spaces including new environment reserves and recreation parks
- Blue Heart Sunshine Coast partnership
- Advocating to protect the Regional Inter-Urban Break
- New community facilities to ensure we have great places and spaces, including the Baringa Community Centre
- Proactive planning for the expected impacts of climate change
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