Read our Environmental Sustainability Annual Report 2019-20 and the previous Annual Report for 2018-19 to learn about our achievements across the shire.
Council acknowledges the importance of reducing the human impact on the environment and has developed an Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The strategy is a management tool targeting action towards environmental sustainability in the areas of Council control and influence within East Gippsland.
Over the next ten years, we are committed to:
>> Managing and mitigating the impact of climate change.
>> Achieving sustainable resource management.
>> Facilitating living and working within the capacity of the local environment.
The four-year Environmental Sustainability Action Plan outlines how Council intends to achieve the goals and targets of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The action plan details how Council will either lead or work in partnership with various stakeholders and our community to achieve outcomes.
Progress in delivering the actions will be provided to the community through social media updates, the Environmental Sustainability Annual Report and through our Environment Connect Newsletter.
View past editions of the quarterly Environment Connect newsletter and subscribe to receive the newsletter via email. You can also check out our easy-to-read two-page guide to Roadside Vegetation Management.
Council has developed a Sustainable Gardening in Gippsland booklet, which contains information on how to encourage local biodiversity in your garden. If you are unable to download this booklet contact us for a printed copy.
Options for sustainable gardening include native plant selection (to increase local biodiversity), mulching (to reduce water use and spread of weeds), composting food scraps (to give your plants food and reduce your garbage), growing fruit and vegetables (to reduce 'food miles' and carbon emissions from transporting food) and installing a rainwater tank. Or join your local Landcare or 'Friends of' group.
It’s as easy as Zoom, Select, Connect. Go to the environmental volunteering interactive map to see what environmental volunteering groups are in your area.
Populations of Grey Headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) are known within East Gippsland Shire. A strategic action plan has been developed to assist in the management of their roost site in Bairnsdale.
A report has been prepared by East Gippsland Shire Council in relation to satisfying Condition 9 of Permit 2009/5017 under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 received from the Department of Environment in relation to the approved Grey-headed Flying-fox Strategic Management and Action Plan.
EPBC compliance reports for Poplar tree removal (Grey Headed Flying Fox summer camp):
Biodiversity or ‘biological diversity’ is the collective term for genes, species and ecosystems. East Gippsland has high species and ecosystem biodiversity. Did you know? Ninety of Victoria’s 300 Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) occur in our Shire.
Although 80 per cent of East Gippsland’s original native vegetation remains, there are many vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species. Rarer EVCs (such as rainforests unique to East Gippsland) and threatened EVCs in agricultural areas need special protection, management and restoration.
Threats to biodiversity in the region include invasive plant and animal species, climate change, altered fire regimes, extreme natural events, urban development, recreation, habitat loss/fragmentation and pollution.
East Gippsland plants are very significant at the continental scale, due to the area overlapping between southern cool temperate and eastern warm temperate zones. There are many species of plants and animals which are absent from, or rare in, the rest of Victoria.
East Gippsland is highly valued because of its vast expanses of wilderness and virtually pristine ecosystems. “The continuity of native vegetation over a very extensive area makes East Gippsland one of the great reservoirs of biodiversity in Australia; there are no other regions on mainland Australia where native vegetation is continuous from alpine environments to the coast.” (Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 1997). The vegetation on our road reserves and on our farms and properties is also extremely valuable, and forms important habitat links.
Nearly one third of Victoria's Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) occur within East Gippsland, which also has unique bioregions.
We are rolling out naturestrip trees across the shire and will soon be inviting select property owners to tell us whether they would like one planted outside their property.
Well-chosen trees play an important role in any town. They are critical in maintaining the health and liveability of our townships and create a long-term sustainable vision for the character and amenity of every community.
Howitt Avenue, Metung - Streetscape Planting
East Gippsland Shire Council is planting and replacing trees each year across the municipality. The species of trees chosen is based on:
• Site conditions, including utilities (power, water, gas etc.), soil profile and space available
• Existing vegetation in the locality
• Future-proofing for expected climate changes
• Minimising ongoing maintenance requirements for Council