State of Environment
Report
2009
What is the State of Environment report? ........................................................................... 2
Why do a State of Environment report? .............................................................................. 2
What does it cover? ................................................................................................................ 2
Indicators .................................................................................................................................. 2
Overview ................................................................................................................................... 3
Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................... 5
Biodiversity Conservation .................................................................................................. 5
Roadside Vegetation Conservation ................................................................................ 21
Soils and sustainable agriculture .................................................................................... 28
Waterway Health ............................................................................................................... 32
Water ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Community Water Conservation ..................................................................................... 44
Domestic Wastewater Management .............................................................................. 46
Energy ..................................................................................................................................... 51
Community Energy Conservation ................................................................................... 51
Transport Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 55
Waste Statistics ..................................................................................................................... 59
Community ............................................................................................................................. 63
Community participation ................................................................................................... 63
Council operations ................................................................................................................ 69
Water management .......................................................................................................... 69
Energy Management ........................................................................................................ 75
Fleet..................................................................................................................................... 81
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What is the State of Environment report?
It provides an accurate picture of the state of the environment, environmental trends
and environmental resources within Nillumbik.
Why do a State of Environment report?
It allows us to make informed decisions when developing responses to
environmental pressures.
What does it cover?
1. Biodiversity
2. Water
3. Energy
4. Waste Statistics
5. Community
6. Council Operations.
Indicators
Indicators help us understand our current position, the direction we are heading, and
how far we are from where we want to be. Indicators have been identified for each of
the key themes listed above.
By analysing these trends, we can focus our resources to prevent further
environmental deterioration, assess how useful the current efforts are in protecting
our environment, and help guide distribution of resources in the future.
State - Pressure - Response Model
The report uses a model of State-Pressure-Response, which is consistent with all
levels of government's reporting methods. The model is designed to show the effect
of human activities on the environment.
State - How is it now?
The state is the current condition of the environment. Indicators of state describe the
quality of the environment at a particular moment in time. Monitoring of state
indicators reflect temporal changes in the condition of the environment due to human
impacts and managerial responses. They register changes in the environment,
reflecting the impact of the pressures and/or effectiveness of the responses.
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Pressure - Human impacts
Pressures are human activities that impact either positively or negatively on the
environment to influence its state.
Response - Actions to improve
These are the actions Council, government agencies, industry and the community
are undertaking to deal with the pressures and improve the “state” of the
environment. Where possible, the report references:

Management plans relating to the environment (e.g. environmental
management systems).

Special Council projects relating to the environment (e.g. education programs
on biodiversity awareness, water conservation and waste minimisation).

Monitoring the environmental impact of Council’s activities (e.g. installation of
photovoltaic systems).
Overview

We have a broad range of responses to pressures on the state of the
environment within Nillumbik. This includes the application of planning controls,
local laws, development and implementation of environmental strategies,
community education, and community engagement in positive environmental
action.

Nillumbik has a unique and diverse range of plants, animals and ecosystems
which are highly significant in a state-wide context. Although biodiversity
projects and programs are protecting and improving components of the natural
environment, overall the pressures on biodiversity are resulting in an overall
decline.

Over the last ten years there has been a 26.5 per cent residential and 70 per
cent non-residential reduction in mains water use. This is due in part to water
restrictions, but considerable savings have been achieved through the use of
alternative water supplies for road grading works, installation of water tanks and
use of warm season grasses and sub-surface irrigation on sports ovals.

We have undertaken considerable work to retrofit buildings with energy efficient
lights and fittings, replaced all streetlighting under our control (with lights that
are two-thirds more efficient) and installed solar panels on many buildings. This
has substantially reduced the energy that would have otherwise been used, but
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there has still been an overall increase in energy use due to new facilities and
services since 2007/08. Fuel use has also increased since 2010/11. It is
important that increased efforts are made to reduce energy and greenhouse
gas production.

There is an increasing issue with the operation of septic tank systems with an
estimated 50 per cent of systems failing. It is anticipated that this will be
significantly addressed by the provision of Yarra Valley Water to reticulated
sewerage to a substantial area of North Warrandyte in the next few years.

The amount of waste produced in Nillumbik is increasing. However, the amount
of waste diverted from landfill will increase in 2013 with the introduction of a
new process for dealing with green waste.

A large number of Nillumbik residents are involved in activities to protect and
improve the environment. For example, there are 10 Landcare groups in the
Shire, 17 Friends groups operating on Council reserves and many others
involved in local food or greenhouse issues and the like. However, a continued
effort by us and the community is required to increase participation and improve
behaviours of all residents.

Of the 479 hectares of bushland and wetland reserves that Council has
responsibility for, approximately 193 hectares is under the active management
of Friends Groups (40 per cent).

Some 85.5 per cent of the actions in Council’s environment strategies are either
completed, in progress or on target.
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Biodiversity
Human beings are dependent for their sustenance, health, wellbeing and enjoyment
of life on biodiversity. Biodiversity is the basis for much of our recreation and tourism
and includes the ecosystems which provide us with many services such as clean
water. This section applies the State, Pressure Response Model to Biodiversity and
the topics within Biodiversity listed below.
Biodiversity Conservation
The Shire of Nillumbik supports a diverse array of species and their habitats,
spanning the tall Manna Gum forests on the Yarra River, grasslands on the Plenty
River, alluvial plains and terraces, incised creek lines and dry valleys nestled
amongst skeletal sedimentary hills up to the Kinglake Plateau on the Great Dividing
Range. There are 84 identified ‘BioSites’ (sites of biodiversity significance) in the
Shire. 12 are of national significance, 33 are of state significance, 38 are of regional
significance and one is of local significance.
State
At a glance

Melbourne 2030 identifies the Nillumbik Green Wedge (Figure 1) as being of
social, economic and environmental value because of the following features:
o
environmental and landscape quality (particularly the Yarra River and
surrounds)

o
river red gums and other habitat areas
o
national parks
o
metropolitan water storages.
The Shire of Nillumbik supports a diverse array of species and their habitats,
spanning the tall Manna Gum forests on the Yarra River, grasslands on the
Plenty River, alluvial plains and terraces, incised creek lines and dry valleys
nestled amongst skeletal sedimentary hills up to the Kinglake Plateau on the
Great Dividing Range.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) has identified
84 ‘BioSites’ (sites of biodiversity significance) in the Shire. 12 are of national
significance, 33 are of state significance, 38 are of regional significance and
one is of local significance.
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
The Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 - Sites of Faunal and
Habitat Significance (ESO1) planning control is applied to 61 per cent of the
Shire. In addition, the following planning scheme zones support the protection
of biodiversity in Nillumbik; Public Park and Recreation Zone, Public
Conservation and Resource Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Green Wedge
Zone, Special Use Zone and Urban Floodway Zone.

The NEROC Report (Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East
Melbourne (Beardsell, 1997)) identified within the Shire:

o
65 sites of faunal significance (20,856.54 ha)
o
70 sites of flora significance (18,981.11 ha).
This unique area packs in approximately 1,000 indigenous flora species, 64 of
which are listed significant species. Many of these are delicate terrestrial
orchids, including some not found anywhere else. Supporting and often relying
upon these plants is an equally impressive array of 342 indigenous fauna
species, 63 of which are listed significant species including the distinctive
Brush-tailed Phascogale, Lace Monitor, Bandicoot, Sugar Glider, Wedge-tailed
Eagle, Eltham Copper Butterfly and Platypus. Kangaroos remain a relatively
common resident, and a myriad of native birds frequent even the most urban
backyard.
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Figure 1: Nillumbik Green Wedge
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
There are 14 nationally threatened species, nine migratory species and one
threatened ecological community listed for protection under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Of the EPBC Act listed
species found within the Shire, six flora species and three fauna species have
National Recovery Plans (special profile and threats database on Australian
Government website).

There are also 42 species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
1998 (FFG Act) and 120 listed by DEPI as rare or threatened in Victoria, all of
which have been identified as resident or reliant upon habitats that occur within
the Shire at some time. A total of four FFG Act listed flora species and 19 FFG
Act listed fauna species have approved Action Statements (DSE website).
These species include:
o
Rosella Spider-orchid (Caladenia rosella)
o
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
o
Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae)
o
Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)
o
Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta)
o
Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)
o
Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa)
o
Eltham Copper Butterfly (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida)
Intact Vegetation by land tenure
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has assessed native
vegetation across land tenure. Approximately 20,000 ha of remnant native
vegetation still remains within the Shire. The following graph provides the percentage
of intact vegetation by land tenure in Nillumbik (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: Percentage of intact vegetation by land tenure in Nillumbik
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Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC)
In Victoria, native vegetation in Victoria is classified according to Ecological
Vegetation Classes (EVCs). Each EVC has a Bioregional Conservation Status
according to the degree of depletion in its extent and/or quality (see Figure 7). DSE
revised and updated the Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs in November
2007 following revised native vegetation mapping.
EVC mapping shows approximately 46 per cent of the Shire (19,686 ha) supports
remnant native vegetation of varying condition. The main EVCs in the Shire are:

Grassy Dry Forest (least concern)

Valley Grassy Forest (vulnerable)

Heathy Dry Forest (least concern)

Herb-rich Foothill Forest (least concern).
Although most of these classes are listed as least concern, much of the Grassy Dry
Forest within the Shire is of the Box-stringybark Woodland floristic community, which
is regionally vulnerable to endangered). Small areas of other EVCs also exist in the
Shire including:

Box-Ironbark Forest (vulnerable)

Gully Woodland (vulnerable)

Riparian Forest (vulnerable)

Plains Grassy Woodland (endangered)

Creekline Herb-rich Woodland (endangered)

Swampy Riparian Complex (endangered).
Figure 7: Conservation Status of EVCs in Nillumbik (ha)
Area of land protected with on-title agreements within Nillumbik Shire:
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
2,749.55 ha of land is protected under a Trust for Nature Conservation
Covenant

3,906.6 ha of land is protected with a Section 173 agreement

No areas of land are protected under Section 69 agreements under the
Conservation Forests and Land Act 1987 through the State Government’s
BushBroker scheme.
Native vegetation removal
Council undertook aerial photography interpretation to compare the difference in
cover of native vegetation between 2007 and 2009 across the Shire. The process
involved comparing 2007 and 2009 aerial photographs of Nillumbik Shire in MapInfo
GIS program. The Shire was gridded up and each grid was analysed by switching
between both aerial photos.
If a change was detected it was further scrutinised and if vegetation clearance was
evident then a polygon was drawn around it (see Figure 8). Where vegetation had
been lost, these properties were queried using Council’s database for monitoring
planning permit applications to see if Council had issued a planning permit for
vegetation removal. This assessment did not make allowances for clearance
resulting from permitted fire prevention purposes as the 10/30 rule allowing this was
introduced after the aerial photography was taken. If no planning permit is
associated with the property, then it is considered to be unauthorised clearing.
Figure 8: Permitted vegetation removal for a new dwelling following a VCAT
decision
Between 2007 and 2009, within Nillumbik Shire, 156.9 ha was lost to clearing or
development (with and without an approved planning permit). During this period,
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approximately 68.8 ha of vegetation was lost to unauthorised clearing (without an
approved planning permit). Grassy Dry Forest (61.24 ha), Valley Grassy Forest
(39.68Ha) and Herb-rich Foothill Forest (19.12 ha) had the highest rate of clearance
(Figure 9).
During this particular analysis, Council did not look at the amount of naturally
regenerating vegetation or vegetation replanted by Landcare groups, Friends of
groups, other volunteers, landowners or Council. Clearing and vegetation losses
were the target of the analysis due to the short time frame allocated to the project.
This type of analysis is time consuming and requires the assessor to focus and
concentrate on any losses they observe whilst switching between aerial photographs
from each year. Council would need to do a second analysis of the amount of
revegetation or regeneration to determine the gains in native vegetation during this
time.
Figure 9: Area (ha) of each Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) removed
between 2007 and 2009
Pressure

Increasing residential development

Habitat destruction, modification and fragmentation

Agricultural land use

Environmental weeds

Climate change
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
Altered fire regimes

Increased clearing for fire prevention purposes

Exotic fauna

Soil compaction

Pathogens

Lack of understanding about ecological processes

Encroachment into areas of conservation significance

Altered water quality and flows

Small and isolated populations of threatened species

Erosion
Response
Nillumbik Biodiversity Strategy 2012
The Biodiversity Strategy provides the strategic direction for biodiversity
management across Nillumbik to inform programs, standards and targets for the
Shire. It also seeks to further develop a coordinated approach to ensure that
ecosystems are healthy, resilient, productive and connected across the landscape
for future generations. This document identifies threats to ecosystem functions and
opportunities to enhance and protect these functions.
Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan 2012-2015
Council created its Green Wedge Management Plan in 2010 in accordance with the
Victorian government’s 30-year planning framework, Melbourne 2030, introduced in
2002. The framework required each of Melbourne’s 12 Green Wedge Councils to
produce a Green Wedge Management Plan.
Nillumbik’s plan has seven aims the first of which is to ‘conserve and enhance the
natural values, landscapes and cultural heritage of the Nillumbik Green Wedge’. To
achieve this, the plan has 13 objectives under the groupings of Environment,
Economy, People and Communities, and Governance. The five Environment
objectives are all relevant to the protection of biodiversity within the Shire. They are:

Protect and enhance remnant vegetation

Protect and enhance sites of faunal and habitat significance

Protect and enhance catchments and manage water responsibly

Achieve sustainable land management
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
Conserve the landscapes of the Green Wedge for aesthetic, environmental and
cultural values.
Environment Advisory Committee
The Environmental Advisory Committee provides Council with a formal mechanism
to consult with key stakeholders, seek specialist advice and enable community
participation in environmental sustainability issues, initiatives, policies and strategies.
The committee comprises up to eight community representatives, selected to reflect
a range of interests, expertise and experience from across the Shire, as well as a
Councillor and council officers. The committee assists and advises Council regarding
key environmental and agricultural issues, provides a forum for dissemination to, and
consideration of information by, the local community, and assists in the preparation,
monitoring and review of environmental strategies and policies.
Conservation programs for rare and threatened species with in the Shire
A number of conservation programs for rare and threatened species exist within
Nillumbik Shire Council. Programs include management and monitoring works
undertaken by a range of individuals and groups including Parks Victoria,
Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Trust for Nature, Nillumbik Shire
Council, Friends of and Landcare Groups (see Table 1).
Table 1: Threatened species recovery in Nillumbik
Program/Project
Description
Nillumbik's Conservation Corridors Project
Communities for Nature grant coordinated
by Council and Nillumbik’s Landcare
groups. It specifically focuses on
management works to promote the
protection and improvement of habitat for
rare and threatened flora and fauna species.
Nillumbik’s Conservation Corridors project
promotes the preservation of biodiversity
and habitat through the management of
threatening processes within the Central
and Eastern Habitat Corridors in the
municipality.
Eltham Copper Butterfly (ECB) Recovery
Coordinated by the DEPI Arthur Rhylah
Committee
Institute, this committee operates under the
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act to protect
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Program/Project
Description
and enhance populations of the ECB.
ECB Bringing back from the Brink:
This program is coordinated by Nillumbik
Communities for Nature
Shire Council, Parks Victoria, Friends of the
Project Governance Committee and Project
Steering Committee
Eltham Copper Butterfly, Eltham East
Primary School, Friends of Woodridge
Linear Reserve, DSE Arthur Rhylah and
Latrobe University. It will undertake a range
of on-ground works, monitoring and
publicity to improve the habitat of the
butterfly and to engage more of the
community in its conservation.
Clover Glycine Recovery Project
Council has been working on a Clover
Glycine Recovery Project at Hohnes Hill and
Meruka Park Reserves, which has involved
monitoring populations, collecting seed for
propagation and then working with Edendale
to propagate the seed and the Friends of
Karingal Yallock to plant it out.
Clover Glycine fencing – Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria received a grant to build
rabbit proof fencing at Morrisons Reserve to
protect Clover Glycine.
Rosella Spider Orchid fencing - Council
Council has rabbit proof fenced populations
of Rosella Spider Orchid at Kalbar Reserve.
Rosella Spider Orchid fencing – Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria has erected fencing around
populations in One Tree Hill and Morrisons
Reserve. Hand pollination is undertaken as
required.
Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring
Parks Victoria and the Department of
Environment and Primary Industries have a
Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring
program and have been collecting DNA
samples of dead/road-kill Phascogales.
Brush-tailed Phascogale – Kinglake Biolink
Parks Victoria commenced the Kinglake
Project
Biolink Project which was aimed at getting
Phascogales back into Kinglake National
Park following the fires.
Common Dunnart monitoring and recovery
Abzeco have been setting up tile traps for
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Program/Project
Description
program
Common Dunnarts and Cam Beardsell
(Parks Victoria) has been undertaking a
Dunnart recovery program in One Tree Hill
for Parks Victoria.
Common Bent Wing Bat & Eastern Horseshoe
Undertaken by Parks Victoria and the
Bat monitoring
Department of Sustainability and
Environment at One Tree Hill and Kinglake
National Park
Wine-lipped Spider Orchid Program
Program occurring in St Andrews (Dodd St
Reserve), Boomers and One Tree Hill
Reserves. Rabbit fences installed and hand
pollination as required. Undertaken and
coordinated by Parks Victoria.
Silurian Striped Greenhood orchid program
One Tree Hill and Morrisons Reserves,
cages and monitoring. Undertaken and
coordinated by Parks Victoria.
Dianella amoena (Matted Flax-lily) fencing –
St Andrews & Morrisons Reserve, rabbit
Parks Victoria
proof fencing. Undertaken and coordinated
by Parks Victoria.
Tawney Frogmouths monitoring
Marian Weaving (from Deakin University and
Friends of Swipers Gully) has been
undertaking research into Tawney
Frogmouths at a few reserves including
Yarramie Reserve.
Australian Platypus Conservancy/Melbourne
The Conservancy and Melbourne Water have
Water
previously done a lot of work on researching
populations of Platypus in Diamond Creek.
Amphibian Research Centre/Melbourne Water
Often have targeted Frog Watch programs
FrogWatch
for species such as Bibron's/Southern
Toadlet which are quite rare.
Spot-tailed quoll monitoring
Parks Victoria have set up remote sensing
cameras to actively search for this species
within One Tree Hill Reserve.
Orchid monitoring and propagation
The Australian and Victorian orchid
societies and the Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria are active in the area monitoring
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Program/Project
Description
and propagating orchids.
Round-leaf Pomaderris recovery program
Parks Victoria have previously run a
recovery program in Kinglake National Park.
Round-leaf Pomaderris management – Parks
Parks Victoria have done management
Victoria
works in Morrisons and One Tree Hill
Reserves including rabbit proof fencing and
burning regimes.
Planning Scheme
Council’s Planning Scheme includes a number of zones and overlays that contribute
to the protection of biodiversity by either prohibiting, or requiring a permit (with
conditions) for, the removal of native vegetation.
Most important of these are the Environmental Significance Overlays (ESOs) which
provide protection to Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance (ESO 1), the Yarra
River Environs (ESO2), the Plenty River Environs (ESO3) and Waterways in general
(ESO4). The ESO1 is the most significant planning control and applies to
approximately 61 per cent of the Shire. A review of ESO1 is approaching completion
that aims to include significant habitat areas that were excluded from the initial
mapping, to exclude some that no longer have significant biodiversity values and to
otherwise ensure that the mapping is accurate.
Significant Landscape Overlays also provide incidental protection to biodiversity by
protecting elements of habitat, including trees in particular.
In addition, the following Planning Scheme zones support the protection of
biodiversity in Nillumbik; Public Park and Recreation Zone, Public Conservation and
Resource Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Green Wedge Zone, Special Use Zone
and Urban Floodway Zone.
Land Management Incentive Program (LMIP)
Nillumbik’s Land Management Incentive Program offers flexible grants to support a
range of integrated land management activities for private landowners. Projects
relating to land within Green Wedge and Rural Conservation Zones or areas in or
adjoining land with an Environmental Significance Overlay will be given priority over
others. There are three scales of grants available for activities on private land in
Nillumbik:
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
Small Scale Grants - up to $250
To assist individual landholders with small scale projects or individual education
activities where the over-all cost is unlikely to run into thousands of dollars.

Medium Scale Grants – between $250 and $2000
To assist individuals or groups of landholders working on strategic and well
planned projects, where the over-all project cost is expected to be in the vicinity
of one thousand dollars or above.

Community Action Group Support Grant - up to $15,000 per year with potential
for 3 years of funding.
To assist formal groups of landholders working collaboratively on large-scale
strategic land management projects affecting multiple properties. Applications
of this nature need to be consistent with actions listed in approved strategic
documents such as Catchment Management Plans and Biodiversity Plans.
In 2011-2012 the LMIP on private land achieved the following:

66 ha fenced to protect biodiversity

10 ha revegetated
Environmental Events program
Through the Environmental Events program, Council offers courses, talks, events
and workshops to assist residents in property management planning and enhancing
the natural values of their property. Courses and workshops cover a range of topics
including property management and whole farm planning. Property visits and guided
walks are conducted to appreciate the biodiversity assets of the Shire.
Website and publications
Council’s website provides information about pest plant and animal control, Green
Wedge management and other environmental issues. Council has a diversity of
publications on weeds, indigenous plants and animals and also has a number of
regular community publications about environmental issues such as the Nillumbik
News mailout and Fringe Focus email newsletter.
Panton Hill Bushland Reserves Management Plan 2012
The Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System constitutes seven individual reserves
spanning 140 hectares of bushland in the Watsons Creek catchment near the
townships of Panton Hill and Smiths Gully.
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The reserves are important for their exceptional and outstanding natural features.
They contain a number of different and significant vegetation communities, as well
as a diverse number of Victorian Rare and Threatened plant and animal species.
The Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System Management Plan 2012 is the key
document which aims to manage the important conservation, social and recreation
values of the reserves.
Warrandyte to Kinglake Habitat Corridor Project - Urban Fringe Weed Management
Initiative
Co-funded by DSE and Council the Urban Fringe Weed Management Initiative is a
four-year partnership program which seeks to adopt a ‘biosecurity approach’ to weed
control across the Kinglake to Warrandyte Habitat Corridor. The program involves
many stakeholders and land managers including Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne
Water, DSE, private landowners and community groups. The program adopts a
tenure-blind landscape-scale approach to weed control. Coordination across
property boundaries and the scale of the project will allow the project partners to:

prevent new weeds entering the corridor

contain the range of established weeds and prevent their dispersal into
environmentally significant areas

control established weeds strategically to protect the biodiversity values of the
corridor.
Council’s Bushland and Wetland Reserves
Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management of 90 bushland and
wetland reserves covering an area of more than 450 ha on both Council freehold
land and as the Committee of Management for Crown Land. The primary purpose of
these reserves is for the conservation of natural values, however they are also
important from a social, cultural and historical perspective. These reserves are home
to an array of native plants and animals, and often provide the last remaining refuges
for threatened and endangered species in a fragmented landscape.
Council’s Environmental Works Unit actively manages these reserves by undertaking
a range of works such as weed and rabbit control, species conservation, community
engagement, fencing, trail maintenance and fuel reduction works to protect and
enhance their biodiversity and community values. Council, in conjunction with
Friends Groups has planted 8,863 plants in Council’s bushland and wetland reserves
in 2011-2012.
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Friends and Landcare Groups
Council’s Environmental Works Unit currently supports 19 Friends groups. These
groups are spread throughout the Shire, and members predominantly undertake
agreed works on a specific Council-managed reserve, to help protect and enhance
the natural environment.
Council’s Environmental Planning Unit currently supports 10 active Landcare groups.
These groups undertake land management projects involving their communities
across the Shire. The groups successfully deliver a number of revegetation, weed
and rabbit control programs to protect and enhance natural resources on private
land.
Natural Environment Recovery Working Group
The Natural Environment Recovery Working Group consists of representatives from
Nillumbik Shire Council, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, and the Landcare groups
of Strathewen, St Andrews, Christmas Hills and Arthurs Creek. The purpose of the
group is to develop strategies that work towards a coordinated recovery of the
natural environment after the 2009 bushfires. They have organised field days and
workshops dealing with erosion control, pasture management, bush regeneration
and weed control. The group also actively seeks additional funds to support private
landowners with weed and erosion control, fencing and revegetation. Currently, they
have obtained funding for and are overseeing a project for the development of
Community Environmental Recovery Action Plans in the communities of Strathewen,
St Andrews and Christmas Hills.
Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria is the custodian of a diverse estate of significant parks in Victoria and
is also the recreational manager of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Yarra and
Maribyrnong Rivers.
These parks and reserves have a unique role. Unlike forests or private land they are
managed primarily for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, and most are
permanently reserved under legislation for this purpose. As such they form the
backbone of the state’s biodiversity conservation.
Parks Victoria is responsible for parks within Nillumbik including:

Kinglake National Park (22,360 ha)

Warrandyte State Park (680 ha)
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
Yarra Valley Parkland (1,500 ha)

Plenty Gorge Parklands (1,350 ha)

Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Reserve (660Ha)

Smaller reserves such as Yarrambat Park, Boomers Reserve and the reserve
system around St Andrews.
Trust for Nature
Formerly known as the Victorian Conservation Trust, Trust for Nature’s mission is to
enable people to bequeath land or money for conservation and for the purchase of
Victoria’s threatened, privately owned bush.
Trust for Nature also works with landholders to voluntarily place conservation
covenants on their land, permanently protecting significant areas of natural bushland
for personal or offsetting purposes. Since 1989 Trust for Nature has also included a
service to buy important bushland, protect it with perpetual conservation covenants
and resell it so the funds can be re-used.
Trust for Nature own and manage two reserves within Nillumbik, Dunmoochin
conservation reserve in Cottles Bridge (6 ha) and Willis Nature Park in Smiths Gully
(50 ha). Trust for Nature also own the Western Colony Eltham Copper Butterfly
reserve in Eltham (1 ha) which is managed by Nillumbik Shire Council.
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water - Water Supply Catchments and Land Management team manage
a number of reserves in the Shire. These are managed under the Christmas Hills
Land Management Plan, the Sugarloaf Reservoir Biodiversity Management Plan and
the Sugarloaf Place Plan (draft).
Melbourne Water is also the caretaker of river health in the Port Phillip and
Westernport region and has the responsibility for management of creeks and rivers,
floodplains and the regional drainage system.
20
Roadside Vegetation Conservation
Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of
approximately 1,200 kilometres of rural roadsides. Significant areas of native
vegetation remain on roadsides in the Shire. Roadside vegetation has multiple
values associated with ecological and environmental functions as well as its role in
defining local character and landscape amenity.
State
At a glance

Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of
approximately 1,200 kilometres of rural roadsides.

Significant areas of native vegetation remain on roadsides in the Shire.
Roadside vegetation has multiple values associated with ecological and
environmental functions as well as its role in defining local character and
landscape amenity. Much of this native vegetation occurs in relatively
undeveloped areas of the municipality where blocks of private land are larger or
where adjacent land is Crown land or in various types of reserves. Often in
these areas there has been less historical clearing and disturbance and roads
are often unsealed and comparatively narrow.

The Ecological Vegetation Classes most commonly found on roadsides within
the Shire are approximately consistent with those Ecological Vegetation
Classes most commonly occurring in the Shire including, from most to least
common:

o
Grassy Dry Forest
o
Valley Grassy Forest
o
Herb-rich Foothill Forest
o
Heathy Dry Forest
o
Riparian Forest
The results of the 2010 roadside vegetation mapping are detailed in Table 1
and shown in comparison to the 2005 results. So as to better use resources, it
was determined in 2010 to simplify and refine the assessment methods, so
direct comparisons between 2010 and earlier assessments are difficult to
make.
21
Table 1: 2010 Conservation Value Assessment Scoring Review
2010 New
Score
2005
Equivalent
Categories
score
375.99
A Very High
21+
82.29
375.99
B High
17-20
154.86
172.78
C Moderate
12-16
314.99
400.63
D Moderate-
3-11
416.99
1-3
225.94
Lineal km
Categories
High (A)
15+ or contains
Lineal km
Endangered
EVC
High (A)
15+ or contains
Endangered
EVC
Medium (B)
8-14 and >25%
indigenous
understorey
Medium-Low
8-14 and <25%
(C)
indigenous
Low
understorey or
if not
reassessed
was previously
mapped as
moderate-low
Low (D)
241.34
1-7 and
E Low
medium
adjusted
likewise or if
not reassessed
was previously
mapped as low
Table 2 compares the variation in roadside assessment scores used in the 1997,
2005 and 2010 assessments.
Table 2: Roadside Conservation Value Comparison of Results 1997, 2005 and
2010
Categories
1997 Lineal km
2005 Lineal km
2010 Lineal km
A) Very High 21+
83.76
82.29
58.27*
B) High 17-20
156.99
154.86
209.77*
22
Categories
1997 Lineal km
2005 Lineal km
2010 Lineal km
C) Moderate 12-16
428.68
314.99*
237.42*
D) Moderate-Low 3-
323.50
416.99*
460.55
E) Low 1-3
217.86
225.94
224.74
Total
1210.79
1195.07
1190.74
11
* Indicates categories which were reassessed during each review.
There are number of factors that may account for changes in scoring across the
years. Major factors likely to have impacted are the effects of fire, seasonal timing
and climatic conditions at the time of assessment. Assessment in 2010 was mostly
undertaken during late-winter and spring, which is the optimal time for observing
flora.
Furthermore, the wetter conditions in 2010 than in previous assessment years is also
likely to resulted in increased growth and flowering further aiding observation.
Conversely, weed growth would have also been favoured so otherwise dry soils that
may contain indigenous vegetation may have supported dense growth of weedy
annual grasses and other herbs.
For instance, a substantial decline in Very High sections is evident in the 2010
assessment; rather than assuming that vegetation condition has declined over the
years since 1997, it is highly likely that a major cause of this is the effect of fire and
climatic conditions at the time of assessment. For instance, fire would have removed
canopy cover and some of the older trees with hollows may also have been burnt or
removed for safety concerns, litter levels reduced and weed cover and soil
disturbance through erosion increased. These changes would have negatively
impacted scoring, although future recovery of these areas is likely.
This reduction in the scores of roadsides of Very High Conservation Value has led to
an increase in High Value Roadsides, as they have dropped down a category. It is
also possible that some of the previously assessed Moderate roadsides may have
increased to become High due to increase regeneration of woody species from fire.
Once again, optimal survey timing may have also revealed additional native species,
including orchids and lilies that may have been absent during previous assessments,
also affecting results. Conversely, weed invasion post fire and loss of other values,
23
may have also resulted in the decrease of some Moderate roadsides to ModerateLow.
While care was taken to use consistent methodology with previous years, variation
amongst assessors is also likely to have affected results. Due to the coarse nature of
the assessment methodology as categories become smaller, more variation is likely
to occur due to factors such as fire, season, climatic conditions and assessor
variability. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the potential for variations
particularly if the scoring system is broken down into smaller categories.
There are a number of rare or vulnerable plants on Nillumbik roadsides and they
include:
Name
Picture
Velvet Apple-berry
(Billardiera scandens s.s)
Wine-lipped Spider-orchid
(Caladenia oenochila)
Rosemary Grevillea
(Grevillea rosmarinifolia
subsp. rosmarinifolia)
24
Name
Picture
Round-leaf Pomaderris
(Pomaderris vacciniifolia)
Pressure
Weeds

Pest animals

Road maintenance and development

Utility installation and maintenance

Recreational trail development

Erosion and sediment control

Firewood collection

Fuel reduction works

Hazardous tree removal
Response
Roadside Management Plan 2012
The Roadside Management Plan 2012 has been prepared to identify the unique
value of roadsides within the Shire and respond to the management issues
associated with maintaining these values in a context of the proper function of the
roads and their reserves and the associated utility networks. Nillumbik Shire Council
developed its first Roadside Management Plan in 1997. The Country Fire Authority,
Department of Environment and Primary Industries (then DNRE), Service
Authorities, Friends Groups, community members and Council staff provided input to
its preparation.
This revision of the Roadside Management Plan aimed to focus the Plan on the
major pressures, impacts and management issues of roadsides within the current
legislative and policy context and with the assistance of community sector comment.
The plan provides a series of operational guidelines for Council staff, contractors,
utilities, other agencies and the community which outline best management practices
25
for managing roadsides to protect and enhance the significant values of roadsides.
The plan also outlines training, development and raising community awareness of
the values of roadsides.
Wildlife Crossings
Death or mortality from road traffic is a major threat to a wide range of native fauna,
including marsupials such as kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, and possums and
also echidnas, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects. Collision with wildlife also has
potential for disastrous consequences for drivers and passengers. Roads can act as
significant barriers to movement across the landscape for many fauna species.
Management and implementation of wildlife crossings can play a significant role in
reducing barriers to movement and risk of mortality for native fauna, while also
increasing road safety for humans.
Figure 1: Wildlife crossing installed at Wattletree Road Bridge, Eltham
Nillumbik Roadside Weed Control Program
Using an asset and threat prioritisation process and applying the biosecurity
approach (Figure 2), Council has developed broad weed management objectives for
roadside weed control (see Figure 3). These broad weed management objectives
are used as the basis for setting specific weed management objectives and actions.
Works within these broad objectives are prioritised based on:

the impact of a weed on biodiversity/conservation values
26

the contribution of the weed to the fire hazard of the roadside

complementary work on adjoining land

customer complaints/requests

the amenity value of controlling the weed.
Figure 2: Biosecurity Approach (source: UFWMI Operational Plan 2012)
Figure 3: Roadside management plan broad weed management objectives.
27
Pest Animals
Through pest animal control programs, Council aims to minimise the impacts of pest
animals on roadsides through appropriate and effective integrated methods that
minimise impacts on remnant vegetation and native wildlife habitat. This includes:

Minimising disturbance to remnant vegetation and native wildlife habitat with
particular care given to High and Medium Conservation Significant Roadsides.

Working with adjoining landowners to implement coordinated pest animal
control programs.

Consulting relevant pest animal action plans and advice from the Department of
Primary Industries.
Soils and sustainable agriculture
There are approximately 200 active agribusinesses in the Nillumbik Green Wedge,
which provide important local food production, support biodiversity, landscape
management and cultural values. Agriculture occupies 20 per cent of the total
Nillumbik Green Wedge land area.
State
At a glance
28

The Nillumbik Green Wedge is zoned Rural and is a mixture of Rural
Residential (including some land zoned Low Density Residential) and hobby
farms (together making up 47 per cent of the green wedge); vacant land (6 per
cent); agriculture (20 per cent); conservation areas (20 per cent) and recreation
land within the conservation areas (6 per cent).

208 properties receive a Farm Rate and 76 of these properties receive the
Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (see below).

In late 2011, Council appointed an Agricultural Advisory Committee to
undertake a review of the Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (SAR) and other
agricultural issues in the Shire.
Pressure

Pasture quality

Waterway health

Erosion

Fire

Pest plants

Pest animals

Climate change

Change in landuse patterns
Response
Planning Scheme
The Nillumbik Planning Scheme recognises and protects agricultural land through
the rural zones.
Nillumbik Farm Rate
In accordance with Section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960, a farm
classification applies to a property that is more than two (2) hectares, and is being
used as a business with significant and substantial commercial purpose or character
which seeks to make a profit on a continuous or repetitive basis that is used primarily
for:

grazing (including agistment)

pig farming

fish farming

bee-keeping

horticulture
29

dairying

poultry farming

tree farming

viticulture

crop growing (of any kind)
Sustainable Agricultural Rebate (SAR)
The SAR offers a council rate rebate for landowners undertaking works that will
improve land and water resources and reduce the possibility of land degradation. It
aims to:

encourage sustainable land management practices

encourage the retention of larger rural land holdings

protect and enhance the natural environment

protect and enhance the rural landscape character
Over the past year, the Agricultural Advisory Committee has reviewed the SAR
application and assessment process. As a result, Council have developed an options
paper outlining several scenarios for extending the SAR to smaller farm-rated
properties and linking the SAR application and assessment process to the
development of a Property Management Plan for each property. The new process
will need ratification by Council in early 2013.
Land Management Incentive Program
The Land Management Incentive Program for 2012-2013 offers flexible grants to
support a range of integrated land management activities for private landowners.
Projects relating to land within Green Wedge and Rural Conservation Zones or areas
in or adjoining land with an Environmental Significance Overlay will be given priority
over others. Significant environmental benefit would need to be demonstrated for
any project outside these areas.
Green Wedge Management Plan Implementation Committee
In 2012 Council established the Green Wedge Management Plan Implementation
Committee. The objectives of the Committee are to:

check the progress of the GWMP implementation

provide coordination, liaison and communication with other Council advisory
groups and key external stakeholders

provide a source of expertise to call upon as required.
30
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Council’s Agricultural Advisory Committee was appointed in December 2011 to
assist Council on key issues relating to agriculture in the Nillumbik Shire. The
Committee consists of nine members of the community, and two Councillors. Council
staff from the Environmental Services Unit also attend the meetings and assist the
Committee. The objectives of the Committee are:

To assist and advise Council regarding the policies and programs that relate to
agriculture in the Shire

To provide a forum for discussion of sustainable agricultural production
including its definition.

To raise the profile of agriculture in Nillumbik Shire Council and the role it plays
for the Green Wedge both as a food source and as the “lungs of Melbourne”.

To identify and support the development of agricultural opportunities within the
Shire.

To support and promote links with projects such as Community Supported
Agriculture and Local Food Connect

To assess the effectiveness of the Sustainable Agricultural Rebate and
consider the development of a more effective approach if need be.
Landcare support
Nillumbik’s Landcare Groups play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of
our unique landscape. They are also a valuable resource of practical support and
knowledge to landowners, especially new landowners. Council therefore values
these Landcare Groups and aims to provide programs to complement and support
the essential role that they perform in the Shire. Councils Land Management
Incentive Program includes the Community Action Group Support Grant of up to
$15,000 per year with potential for 3 years of funding. These grants are to assist
formal groups of landholders working collaboratively on large-scale strategic land
management projects affecting multiple properties, which are common to Landcare
Groups.
The Natural Environment Recovery Working Group (NERWG) was formed in
response to the 2009 bushfires. It brought together representatives of local Landcare
groups, Nillumbik Shire Council, Melbourne Water, and Parks Victoria, and focused
on coordinating land and environmental recovery on private land in the fire-affected
parts of the shire. A key project for the three fire-affected communities of
31
Strathewen, St Andrews and Christmas Hills, has been the development of
Community Environmental Recovery Action Plans (CERAPs) for each community.
Nillumbik Landcare Facilitator
NERWG has now identified the need to transition into a Nillumbik-wide network of
Landcare groups who are focused on sustainable land and biodiversity management
on privately-owned, rural land.
NERWG has received a $194,388 share of the Victorian Government’s $12 million
Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative grant to provide local Landcare support
up to June 2015. The Victorian Government has provided the funding for local
Landcare groups to contribute to the salaries of facilitators who will support the work
of local Landcare communities to protect, enhance and restore our natural
environment and to work towards becoming self-supporting. The Nillumbik Landcare
Facilitator started in August 2012 and is hosted by the Environmental Planning Team
at Nillumbik Shire Council.
Environmental Events
Nillumbik Shire Council runs an annual program of environmental workshops, talks
and events to enable people to learn and share ideas on various environmental
topics. Topics relating to agriculture include:

property management planning

weed walks and talks

rabbit control field days

ACUP
Chilean Needle Grass eradication project
This assistance program aims to target strategically the control of Chilean Needle
Grass (CNG) (a weed of national significance) on selected private properties in order
to limit and reduce the further spread across Nillumbik Shire. The Program provides
funding towards contractor-based on-ground CNG treatment and assists landholders
to develop a CNG control action plan.
Waterway Health
The Shire of Nillumbik is situated in the Yarra catchment and includes frontages to
the Yarra River, Diamond Creek, Watsons Creek and the Plenty River. The quality of
the catchments and tributaries vary throughout the Shire, depending on the land use
and population levels. Typically, the northern areas of the Shire are characterised by
32
forested catchments of the Kinglake Ranges and small fast flowing streams. As the
terrain becomes less mountainous, larger creeks meander through mainly
agricultural areas and bushland, where the main land use is grazing. Further south
the catchments are largely residential, characterised by urban development and
areas of open space abutting the major waterways.
State
At a Glance

The Shire of Nillumbik is situated in the Yarra catchment and includes frontages
to the Yarra River, Diamond Creek, Watsons Creek and the Plenty River.

The quality of the catchments and tributaries vary throughout the Shire,
depending on the land use and population levels.

Typically, the northern areas of the Shire are characterised by forested
catchments of the Kinglake Ranges and small fast flowing streams. As the
terrain becomes less mountainous, larger creeks meander through mainly
agricultural areas and bushland, where the main land use is grazing. Further
south the catchments are largely residential, characterised by urban
development and areas of open space abutting the major waterways.

In Nillumbik the major waterways form important riparian habitat corridors of
significant conservation and recreational value.

Water quality in all the Nillumbik waterways is impacted by runoff from adjacent
land uses and in some sections, the discharge of sewage effluent.

After the fires of 2009, the Arthurs, Diamond and Watsons Creeks were
significantly impacted by high water flows and sediment. Erosion continues to
be an issue in the catchments.
The following pages provide information on the condition of Nillumbik’s main
waterways.
Index of Stream Condition
The Index of Stream Condition (ISC) is an integrated measure of river health and
has five components (sub-indices):

Hydrology

Physical form

Streamside zone

Water quality

Aquatic life
33
Each of the components is given a score between 0 and 10 based on the
assessment of a number of indicators. The overall ISC score is the sum of the
subindex scores and is between 0 and 50; the higher scores indicating better
condition.
The following maps are the result of assessments undertaken by Melbourne Water.
It can be seen that there are highly variable results across Nillumbik’s waterways.
This information will be used by the various agencies to determine priorities for work
across the catchments.
Overall, the condition of the major waterways in Nillumbik range from Very Poor to
Good. The upper reaches of the Arthurs Creek, Dry Creek and Running Creek are all
in good condition, with the condition becoming moderate further downstream. The
Plenty River and upper reaches of the Yarra River have been given an overall
Stream Condition rating of Poor to Very Poor.
Each of the major rivers and creeks in Nillumbik have been assessed against the
sub-indices as follows:
The Hydrology Sub-index has 5 indicators:

Variability

High flow
34

Low flow

Zero flow

Seasonality
The Hydrology sub-index involved the collection of a large amount of data. This
included data on monthly streamflow (both current and natural). The derivation of
this data took into consideration the impacts of all rural and urban demands (at the
current level of development), private diverters, and farm dams. Streamflow data
was required to determine current and unimpacted or natural flows for each site. This
data was derived from gauged records, streamflow models or rainfall runoff models
developed for previous studies. Where no gauged data or model data was available
for a particular site, it was transposed from another comparable site for which
information was available. A minimum of 15 years of monthly data was required.
The physical form sub-index has 3 indicators:

impact of artificial barriers on fish migration

large wood

bank stability
35
The streamside zone has 9 indicators:

Width

Large trees

Understorey lifeforms

Recruitment

Longitudinal continuity

Tree canopy

Litter

Logs

Weeds
The streamside zone assessment is based on a comparison between the current
condition of a site compared with its Ecological Vegetation Class benchmark (EVC).
An EVC is a vegetation community that is defined by its plant species and its location
in the landscape, and is what it would look like in its long undisturbed condition. In
other words, the EVC benchmark is the reference condition for the vegetation being
assessed. The ISC is only concerned with riparian EVCs.
36
The Water Quality Sub-index has four indicators:

Total Phosphorus

Turbidity

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

pH
The water quality sub-index assessment is based on five years of monthly water
quality sampling. The water quality data is taken from the Victorian Water Quality
Monitoring Network (VWQMN). The network has 183 water quality stations across
the State.
37
The aquatic life sub-index is based on aquatic macroinvertebrates and has two
indicators: AUSRIVAS and SIGNAL. Aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected
using EPA’s standard Rapid Bioassessment protocol. At each sampling site
macroinvertebrates were collected from two habitats (riffle and edge) in autumn and
spring. The results from the two seasons are combined.
38
Pressure

Invasive environmental weeds in riparian vegetation

Presence of exotic fish

Loss of riparian vegetation and catchment clearing

Stock access to waterways leading to erosion and fouling of water

River and creek water extraction and alteration of natural-flow regimes

Stream bank erosion from high-flow events

Increased flows and sedimentation post fire

Discharge from septic and greywater systems

Pollution from stormwater systems

Urban development
Response
Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2007
The purpose of the Sustainable Water Management Plan is to provide a strategic
direction for improved water management throughout Council operations and the
Nillumbik community. The Plan includes two prioritised action plans under the
themes Water Conservation and Stormwater Quality.
The objectives for the stormwater section include to:
39

ensure best practice in all of Council’s operations to minimise impacts on the
surrounding environment

provide education, support and incentives to Council staff and the community in
developing practices and modifying behaviour to reduce impacts on stormwater
quality.
For more detail on the actually responses refer to the Council Operations section on
the website.
Healthy Waterways - Waterwatch
The Council currently supports volunteers from schools and community groups to
monitor the health of our waterways by providing sampling equipment and materials.
With Banyule, Whittlesea, Yarra and Darebin City Councils, Nillumbik Shire Council
jointly funds a Regional Waterwatch Coordinator.
This is an educational program that sees volunteers carry out biological tests
including habitat surveys of riverbanks and instream surveys of insects that live in
the water. They also undertake physical and chemical tests which determine
temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and flow
rate. The combined results of these tests provide a good indication of water quality in
a particular stream.
Nillumbik has seven active Waterwatch groups monitoring sites along the Diamond
Creek, Arthurs Creek, Watsons Creek and Yarra River. The results of their work is
combined into a regular Snapshot report.
Results of the Snapshot Report July – December 2011
Eight sites in Nillumbik were monitored either monthly or bi-monthly during this
period proving the following data for Diamond Creek, Karingal Yarroc Creek, Arthurs
Creek and the Plenty River in Yarrambat. During this period rainfall was above
average resulting in higher than average stream flows.
40
Table 1: Summary of July- December 2011 snapshot report data
Blank cell
Dissolved
Turbidity
pH (acidity/
Salinity
Reactive
oxygen
(water clarity
alkalinity)
(electrical
phosphorous
(quantity of
and
conductivity
(quantity of
oxygen in
suspended
detecting
phosphorous)
water)
particles)
presence of
salt ions)
Diamond
Good
Creek
Poor –
Good
Fair
Poor-Fair
Good
Poor-
Poor
Degraded
(worsening
downstream)
Karingal
Good
Poor - Good
Yalloc
Degraded
Creek
Arthurs
Good
Degraded
Good
Fair
Excellent
Good
Degraded
Good
Fair
Not collected
Creek
Plenty River
(Yarrambat)
Since 2009 a noticeable improvement in turbidity in the Diamond Creek has been
recorded. This has been in response to the recovery of vegetation since the
February 2009 fires.
Corridors of Green and Community Grants Partnerships
In partnership with Melbourne Water, Council’s Environmental Works Unit
undertakes a number of projects at priority sites to improve riparian condition and
overall waterway health. In 2012/13 Council had applied for and received $83,000 in
funding through Melbourne Water’s Corridors of Green program.
Priority sites for funding through these programs included:

Diamond Creek through Eltham Lower Park, Barak Bushland, Wingrove Park
and Bell Street Reserve

Diamond Creek through Nillumbik Park

Yarra River at Pigeon Bank Reserve
41

Karingal Yallock through Meruka Park and Nerreman Reserve

Swipers Gully through Swipers Gully Reserve

Tributaries of the Watsons Creek through Gawa and Yanggai Reserves.
This funding is used to undertake a range of works to improve riparian condition and
waterway health including weed control, rabbit control and revegetation.
Wetlands
Nillumbik Shire Council is responsible for the on-going management and
maintenance of 15 constructed and natural wetlands across the Shire. Constructed
wetlands are excellent methods of treating stormwater for a number of reasons
including aesthetics, pollutant removal capability, habitat value and relatively low
maintenance. Natural and constructed wetlands can provide diverse habitat for
aquatic and terrestrial species. The large permanent pools of ponds and wetlands
enhances pollutant removal because of relatively long residence times, reduced flow
velocities and their ability to retain settled sediments and pollutants. Each year
Council spend approximately $84,000 on the maintenance of wetlands, which
includes activities such as desilting, weed control, rubbish removal and revegetation.
Water Sensitive Urban Design Factsheets
In 2007, Council created a set of information sheets to inform the Nillumbik
community about stormwater pollution issues and water sensitive urban design.
They provide advice to gardeners, builders and households on how to manage
stormwater better.
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water manage the bed and banks of the Yarra River, Plenty River,
Arthurs Creek, Diamond Creek and the Watsons Creek and their tributaries within
Nillumbik Shire Council. Melbourne Water’s Environment Policy supports its
Strategic Framework: Working together to ensure a sustainable water future. The
framework formalises Melbourne Water’s commitment to a sustainable water future
and links its programs to relevant government policy platforms such as Our Water
Our Future, Melbourne 2030 and Our Environment Our Future. Within Nillumbik,
Melbourne Water carries out the following:

Ongoing program of works and community grants to care for waterways and
drainage systems. In 2009/10 the agency undertook a range of works within
42
Nillumbik, mainly weed control, bank stabilisation and revegetation along the
Diamond, Watery Gully, Watsons and Stevensons Creeks.

Working with Council to help control the quality of stormwater and catchment
runoffs to the water system. Council has committed to work with Melbourne
Water to develop a Flood Management Plan to understand and manage flood
risks.

Annual monitoring, investigations and research within Nillumbik including
annual macro-invertebrate and platypus surveys and water quality monitoring

Provision of Stream Frontage Management Program grants to private land
holders, Corridors of Green grants to public land managers and Community
grants to community groups working on public land.

Weed control and capital works on managed waterways.
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority
Nillumbik falls within the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment region, managed by
the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. The authority
has responsibility to develop and implement the Regional Catchment Strategy and
associated Action Plans. The latest plan is in preparation is due to go online in the
next year.
43
Water
Water is a precious resource that is essential for life. Balancing the supply of fresh
water and the demand is an ongoing challenge. It requires water conservation,
efficiency measures and recycling. This section applies the State, Pressure
Response Model to Community Water Conservation and Domestic Wastewater
Management.
Community Water Conservation
State
At a Glance
In 2010, Nillumbik Shire Council adopted the Sustainable Water Management Plan,
to provide strategic direction for improved water management throughout the
Nillumbik community.

The most significant outcomes of the Plan are Council’s water reduction targets
for the community. Council’s target was to work towards achieving a community
water reduction target of 25 per cent (from 2000-2001) levels by 2010-2011.

In 2012 the Nillumbik community achieved a water reduction target of 26.5 per
cent based on the 2000-2001 water use.

There has been a significant reduction in mains water use across the Shire
over the last twelve years (see Table 1).

Some 85.5 per cent of the actions in Council’s environment strategies are either
completed, in progress or on target.
Table 1: Residential and non-residential water use patterns
Water
Landuse
stream
Mains
Residential
Baseline
Current
Reduction %
consumption
consumption
(ML/yr)
00/01 (ML/yr)
11/12 (ML/yr)
5,691
4,185
1,506
26.5%
579
174
405
70%
542
Unknown
reduction
water
Mains
water
Non-
Rainwater
Residential
Rainwater
Non-
residential
n/a
n/a
44
Water
Landuse
stream
Baseline
Current
Reduction %
consumption
consumption
(ML/yr)
00/01 (ML/yr)
11/12 (ML/yr)
n/a
n/a
Unknown
1,369
reduction
residential
Licensed
Residential
extractions
Licensed
Nonextractions
residential
Pressure

Drought

Water supply
Response
State Government Water restrictions
Water restrictions are managed by Victoria’s urban water corporations and are
applied across Victoria based on the Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines.
Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program
On average, 30 per cent of all household water usage is in the shower. Nillumbik
Shire Council has supported the Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange
Program by promoting it through Council information and providing the exchange
service at the Shire offices.
Sustainable Gardening Australia
Nillumbik Shire Council has been an active supporter of Sustainable Gardening
Australia (SGA). SGA was established in 2003 and is a not-for-profit, nongovernment organisation dedicated to changing the way Australians garden. SGA is
committed to achieving real, continually improving and easily understood
environmental solutions for gardeners. Through SGA, Nillumbik residents and
businesses have had access to information regarding water conservation in the
garden.
Environmental Events
45
Nillumbik Shire Council has run an annual program of environmental workshops
talks and events for over eight years to enable people to learn and share ideas on
various environmental topics. Topics relating to water conservation include:

Veggie gardening

Composting and worm farming

Waterwise gardening.
Domestic Wastewater Management
State
At a glance

There are over 6500 septic tank systems in use in the Shire of Nillumbik.

The Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) defines a failing septic
tank system as a system:
o
on a property <4000m2, because a minimum of 1000m2 is required for
effluent disposal and the block is further constrained by building
envelopes and landscaping. It is probable that such systems are failing
though not definite.
o
that discharges grey water off site because of the risks to public health
and the environment
o
where owners are unsure of the type of system they have (the likelihood
of the systems being managed and maintained correctly is reduced)
o
that is not managed or maintained in accordance with permit conditions,
including de-sludging of septic tanks every 3 years.
Table 1 shows the result of a survey of approximately 1650 properties (with a 52 per
cent response rate), and a review of the Council Geographical Information System
(GIS) to understand the extent of probable failing systems. The GIS system was able
to determine the number of properties with an area less than 4000m2.The survey
was sent to properties in the areas determined to be high risk in the DWMP.
Table 1: Survey of failing domestic wastewater systems in Nillumbik
Reason for Failure
Property area less than 4000m2
Number of
Percentage
Properties*
(total)
607
37%
46
Reason for Failure
Number of
Percentage
Properties*
(total)
System discharges off-site
173
20%
Owner unsure of system
164
19%
System not desludged as per permit
188
22%
conditions
*856 surveys returned
Pressure

Pollutants such as particles of dirt, lint, food and human waste products and
chemicals derived from detergents and other cleaning products building up in
the soil, damaging the soil structure, altering soil acidity/ alkalinity balances and
possibly harming plant growth

Health risks caused by odours, vermin and insects

Microbial contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and algal blooms pose a
significant public health risk

Surface run-off into neighbouring properties and stormwater drains, rivers and
streams

Wastewater system maintenance

Unsewered properties

Failing or unmaintained septic tank systems
Response
Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2009-2012
In 2003 Council prepared its first Domestic Wastewater Management Plan. The Plan
was reviewed in 2006 and is again being reviewed in 2012. The Plan aims to provide
Council with a framework for:

developing long term actions for septic tank management

making decisions about individual installations

enforcement and compliance options

costing and funding septic management within the municipality.
47
Responding to offsite discharge of effluent
Council currently has no process in place for monitoring the performance and
condition of septic tank systems in the Shire. In most instances Council only
becomes aware of defective or failing systems after it receives a complaint about the
system or a property owner lodges a planning application to extend/alter a dwelling.
The number of complaints responded to by Council officers has steadily increased
over the last 6 years (Table 2).
Table 2: Effluent complaints to Council
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
(to 30/06)
Complaints
3
13
9
18
30
10
Building on properties smaller than 4000m2

Most established dwellings/properties in Nillumbik were subdivided prior to the
Code of Practice – Onsite wastewater management being developed. Council
must be rigorous in determining the appropriateness for development on these
properties.

At the statutory planning stage, the applicant is required to submit sufficient
information regarding the proposal. All applications that are in a non-sewered
part of the Shire are referred to Environmental Health Officers for comment.

If there are concerns about the ability to treat and retain all effluent on-site then
the applicant will be required to submit further information such as a Land
Capability Assessment to support the application. This is a requirement for all
properties less than 4000m2.

Where soil permeability is poor a soil percolation test must be submitted prior to
a permit to install a septic tanks system being issued. This allows more
accurate design of the disposal system.

No permits for the installation of a septic system have been refused in the
previous four years. This is because unsuitable development proposals are
rejected or modified at the planning stage. Modification may include altering the
proposed extension, reducing the number of bedrooms or increasing the size of
the effluent envelope. Alterations to existing septic tank systems may be
required as a result of undertaking renovations or extensions to existing
dwellings. An alteration to a septic tank system for an existing dwelling requires
48
the whole of the septic tank system to comply with the EPA standards at the
time of altering the system. This may require part or whole of the system to be
upgraded.

Guidelines for owners and plumbers were developed to provide information to
residents about Council’s requirements for applying to install onsite wastewater
treatment systems.
Community Education Program
Council officers have run a series of education workshops on managing and
maintaining a septic system. These workshops were generally held in areas mainly
serviced by septic systems (i.e. North Warrandyte, Hurstbridge, Eltham). The
sessions generally had minimal attendance.
Council have developed a series of information sheets for householders on the
operation and maintenance of septic systems. Council provide these information
sheets to all householders when a Permit to Use a septic is issued. The fact sheets
in the series are:
1.
So you have a septic? – overview of responsibilities for managing septics for
both Council and property owners highlighting health and environmental risks
2.
Stop and think: what’s going down the sink? – what household and
cleaning products to avoid and why
3.
Reduce your water use – the impacts of using excessive amounts of water
and methods to reduce household water use
4.
Don’t be silly, desludge three yearly – the importance of having solids
regularly removed from your tank
5.
Septic perfection is a yearly inspection – how to safely inspect your septic
tank system
6.
Don’t build on the disposal field – the impacts landscaping and outdoor
activities can have on the ability of your system to safely dispose of treated
effluent.
7.
Indigenous plants and grasses for transpiration - lists indigenous plants
and grasses as a guide to species that have been found to be satisfactory for
planting in and around effluent disposal areas. These plants are shallow rooting
grasses that tolerate wet conditions and have a high evapotranspiration
capacity. These plants are suitable for local conditions.
49
8.
A guide for reusing domestic greywater - effectively managing the reuse of
greywater is essential for the sustainable protection of the public and
environmental health. The best approach to water conservation is to reduce
water use, thereby reducing the amount of wastewater generated.
Yarra Valley Water Sewerage Backlog program
In areas where it is known that there are a number of failing systems and small lot
sizes, resulting in considerable threats to public health and the local environment,
Council is supporting and lobbying Yarra Valley Water for the installation of sewer.
There are approximately 17,000 properties (in the northern and eastern suburbs) on
the Yarra Valley Water (YVW) sewer backlog program. YVW is aiming to have all
these properties sewered by 2025.
In Nillumbik in 2012/13, the backlog areas of Eltham, Eltham North and Research
are due to be completed. This will constitute approximately 180 properties in that
area. At the beginning of the Sewerage Backlog Program, Nillumbik Shire Council
identified approximately 1,050 properties in North Warrandyte that were of significant
risk of failing septic systems.
Some of these properties have since upgraded their systems and now comply with
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria requirements, but many of these
properties still discharge effluent which is likely to eventually enter the Yarra River.
These properties in North Warrandyte are currently scheduled to be serviced by the
Sewerage Backlog Program between 2012/13 and 2013/14.
There may be some properties within a Backlog Area which are of sufficient size and
have a suitably performing treatment system to fully contain their wastewater onsite.
Provided these properties have an EPA approved treatment system that is in good
working order and is being properly maintained, they will not be legally required to
connect. However, with the monitoring and compliance system currently in place, it
will be difficult to ensure that these systems continue to be maintained correctly.
Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008
The plan provides strategic direction for improved water management for water
conservation and improved stormwater quality throughout Council operations and
the Nillumbik community. For major achievements refer to the Council Operations
section.
50
Energy
Energy use in buildings comprises about 20 per cent of total energy used across
Australia. Reducing the use of energy will reduce infrastructure and ongoing cost
burdens and make a more resilient community. This section applies the State,
Pressure and Response Model to Community Energy Conservation and Transport
Infrastructure.
Community Energy Conservation
State
At a glance

Stationary energy includes electricity generation and fuels consumed in the
residential, manufacturing, construction and commercial sectors. This use
accounts for 59 per cent of carbon emissions in Victoria in 2005.

Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) are used to generate approximately 87 per
cent of electricity in Victoria.

13 per cent of electricity in Victoria is available from renewable sources such as
wind turbines and hydro-electricity plants. Consumers can purchase electricity
from renewable sources through the Green Power Scheme.

In 2010, total stationary energy use in Nillumbik was 2.1million GJ, an increase
of 48,047 GJ or 2.4 per cent from 2004.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the proportion of energy consumption by the
different sectors in Nillumbik Shire.

Nillumbik households consume an average of 22.7 kWh of electricity per day,
compared with households across the (NAGA) region at 15.2 kWh per day.
NAGA is the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and comprises the nine
municipalities of Banyule , Darebin, Hume , Manningham , Melbourne ,
Moreland , Nillumbik, Whittlesea , Yarra, and the Moreland Energy Foundation.

For the year to June 2012, national inventory emissions per capita were 25.7
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2-e) per person, compared to 32.4 t
CO2-e in 1989-90, representing a 20.7 per cent decline (Source: Australian
national Greenhouse Accounts Quarterly Update of Australia’s National
Greenhouse Gas Inventory, June Quarter 2012).
51
Figure 1: Electricity Consumption by Sector 2010
Figure 2: Gas consumption in Nillumbik Shire by Sector 2010
Renewable energy installations
Solar power generation and solar hot water use is gaining popularity in Nillumbik
Shire, demonstrated by the number of successful rebate applications and systems
installed (see Table 1).
Renewable energy installations include small scale solar photovoltaic, wind and
hydro. These are recorded as Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), are
surrendered and are reported by the Clean Energy Regulator by postcode.
Small-scale Technology Certificates, or STCs, are a tradeable commodity attached
to eligible installations of renewable energy systems (including solar panels, solar
water heaters and heat pumps). Under the Federal Government’s Small-scale
52
Renewable Energy Scheme, when you install an eligible system, you may claim a
set number of these STCs.
This number is based on the amount of electricity in megawatt hours (MWh):

generated by your small-scale solar panel, wind or hydro system over the
course of its lifetime of up to 15 years

displaced by your solar water heater or heat pump over the course of its lifetime
of up to 10 years

where one STC equals one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated or
displaced.
Table 1: Renewable energy installations in Nillumbik
System
Total
Solar electricity installations
1109
kW installed
2339.5 kW
Assumed MWh generation*
3842.58
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) avoided
5187.49 tCO2e in 2011/12
Solar hot water installed
1448
(Difficult to make assumptions on the
savings as the size of the units is not
specified)
Total unit installations
2557
*kWh generation assumption based on 4.5 hours average sunshine a day.
Table 2: Breakdown by postcode of the solar photovoltaic installations within
Nillumbik
Town
Diamond Creek
Installations
Output kW
181
366.9
Plenty
27
75.7
Yarrambat
32
81.8
360
744.9
Eltham
53
Town
Installations
Output kW
Wattle Glen
39
89.1
Kangaroo Ground
38
79.1
Hurstbridge
126
264.3
Panton Hill
33
74.1
Smiths Gully
19
45.1
St Andrews
43
109.2
North Warrandyte
62
125
Greensborough
73
135.7
Doreen
58
112.9
1
2.2
16
34.2
1108
2338.5
Yan Yean
Christmas Hills
Total
Pressure

Population increase which leads to:
o
Increased demand for electricity and other energy sources and therefore
more ‘endpoint’ and ‘embodied’ greenhouse gas emissions.
o
Increased vehicle numbers and fossil fuel consumption, creating greater
‘endpoint’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Increase in the size of housing and the number of household electrical
appliances

Need to identify, respond and adapt to climate change risks

“Peak oil" and reduced fossil fuel reserves

Reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels for energy production
Response
54
Environmental Education
We provide regular information and demonstration sessions on energy efficiency and
ways to reduce energy use at home including Go 5 Energy Basics and Window
Treatments and DIY Double Glazing. There are a number of environmental
publications available including the Practically Green Sustainable Homes Guide.
Bulk purchase programs
We have conducted two bulk purchasing programs to assist households and
community groups reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Products offered were solar
electricity and hot water systems and electric bicycles. Information sessions were
held during both programs to assist community members to gain the knowledge and
confidence to purchase.
Watts Your Power 3099?
In 2012 a program to assist residents in the 3099 postcode area has run over five
months delivering detailed information about how to reduce household energy use
with discounted energy efficiency measures offered to households with low income,
aged and disabled residents.
Home audit kits
Ten Home Audit Kits have been placed in the libraries in Eltham and
Greensborough. These kits contain equipment and instructions on how to measure
energy and water use in the home, as well as up to date information about any
rebates and incentives available.
Yarra Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program
On average, 20 per cent of household energy is used for water heating. A water
efficient showerhead can reduce the amount of water used in the shower by 60 per
cent giving a corresponding reduction in the energy required to restore the heat of
the water in the hot water service. Nillumbik Shire Council has supported the Yarra
Valley Water Showerhead Exchange Program by promoting it through Council
information and providing the exchange service at the Shire offices.
Transport Infrastructure
State
At a glance

In 2010, there were 49,850 vehicles registered in Nillumbik Shire.
55

Council has responsibility for approximately 771km of Nillumbik roads and an
extensive pedestrian and bike trail network.

Private vehicle use provides the fourth largest contribution to emissions within
the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) region.

Within Nillumbik there is 3.3km of on-road bike lanes and 0.5km of priority bus
lanes.

19km of regional trails and 18km of local trails exist as part of the shared trails
network for commuter and recreation use.

Without intervention there is expected to be an 18 per cent increase in
emissions from the transport sector between 2005/06 and 2020.

Nillumbik’s population is expect to grow by 7953 people by 2030, so investment
in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure will be important tools in
preventing emissions increasing and managing road congestion in urban
centres.
Table1: Vehicle use in Nillumbik Shire
Vehicle use
2009
2010
Shire population
62,905
62,794
Vehicle registrations
48,438
49,805
Registrations per shire
0.77
0.79
resident
Sources: Population data Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data and Registrations and Licences
VicRoads.
Table 2: Methods of travel to work 2011
Blank cell
Method of Travel to
Nillumbik
Nillumbik
Greater Melbourne
Greater Melbourne
Number
% of persons
Number
% of persons who
Work
travelled to work
who travelled
to work
Car, as driver
Train
22,933
79.8
1,184,969
69.2
2,559
8.9
190,101
11.1
56
Car, as passenger
1,447
5.0
98,997
5.8
Bus
448
1.6
53,411
3.1
Walked only
418
1.5
55,913
3.3
Truck
361
1.3
14,848
0.9
Tram
211
0.7
67,802
4.0
Bicycle
180
0.6
29,714
1.7
Motorbike/scooter
118
0.4
8,628
0.5
Taxi
48
0.2
6,370
0.4
Ferry
0
0.0
485
0.0
Worked at home
1,739
*
69,383
*
Did not go to work
3,576
*
181,806
*
Source: Profiles of Victorian Communities 2011 census findings, Statistical information about social, health and
economic outcomes for all Victorian localities. A collaboration between City of Greater Dandenong and the
Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA).
Pressure

A dependency on vehicle-based transport is causing many adverse
pressures on the natural environment

Climate change – Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Stormwater pollution - Impervious surfaces associated with transport
infrastructure create stormwater discharges and associated pollution of local
waterways.

Road kills - Road infrastructure and vehicle numbers lead to a proportional
increase in wildlife injuries and road kills.

Roadside vegetation - Associated roadside vegetation maintenance increases
the potential for weed dispersal and habitat modification.

Native vegetation clearing - Road infrastructure and the associated urban
footprint leads to reduction in the size, function and connectivity of natural
ecosystems
Response
57
Integrated Transport Strategy 2001
The Nillumbik Shire Council Integrated Transport Strategy addresses transport
provisions within existing policy and initiatives at state, regional and local level. The
Strategy focuses on the availability and use of appropriate travel patterns and will be
reviewed in 2013.
Saturday Community Bus Service
Saturday Community Bus Service is a free community transport service coordinated
by a group of parents from St Andrews who want to provide transport for their
children and other people who live in rural parts of the Shire. Volunteer bus drivers
travel in a loop from Hurstbridge via Cottles Bridge St Andrews and Panton Hill each
Saturday, linking residents to the train network.
Walking School Bus
Walking School Bus programs operate at a selection of Nillumbik primary schools.
Groups of children walk to school with an adult volunteer ‘driver’ in front and an adult
volunteer ‘conductor’ at the rear. The bus travels along a set route to or from school
and picks up children at designated ‘bus stops’ along the way.
Nillumbik Trails Strategy
In December 2011, Council adopted a Trails Strategy to guide planning and decision
making for local recreation trails across the Shire over the next 10 years. The
Strategy recognises the importance of the trails to the Nillumbik community.
Nillumbik trails form an integral network that link townships, regional trails and places
of interest.
Bike trails network and footpaths
Council continues to build upon the network of bike trails and footpaths throughout
Nillumbik. A key aim of this infrastructure is to reduce reliance on the private motor
vehicles by providing infrastructure that promotes safe and convenient walking and
cycling.
58
Waste Statistics
Discarded material is a waste of resources, including raw and processed materials,
energy, water and nutrients. Waste results in greenhouse gas emissions from the
energy used to originally manufacture the product (embodied energy), transportation
and methane emissions from landfill. This section applies the State, Pressure, and
Response Model to Waste Management.
State
At a glance

Currently rubbish and green waste are disposed of at Hanson Landfill at Wollert.
Hanson Landfill is a renewable energy landfill which captures approximately 11.5
million cubic metres of methane (capturing 85 per cent of total methane gas
generated) from decomposing waste which is used to produce 35 million kilowatt
hours of electricity per annum.

Council takes recyclable materials to SKM Recyclers in Coolaroo. SKM services 12
local government Councils and can process 500 tonnes of recyclable materials each
weekday.

The Council owned Kangaroo Ground Landfill site closed in 1999 and is being
prepared for rehabilitation.

The Council owned Plenty Landfill closed in 2007 and is being prepared for
rehabilitation.
Table 1: Waste and recycling collected in the Nillumbik Shire (in solid waste
tonnes)
Year
Landfill
Recycled
Green
Total
2009/2010
16,908
7,757
6,617
31,282
2010/2011
18,200
7,706
8,043
33,949
Jul 2011 to Jan 2012
11,095
4,572
4,747
20,414
(part year - all figures )
Source: Hanson landfill and SKM recycling
Pressure
59
Increased consumption and generation of waste pose the increased risk of:

Groundwater and land contamination

Greenhouse gas emissions

Incidental fossil fuel consumption from transportation and disposal

Dumped rubbish

Litter

Odour

Noise
Municipal waste - more than 27 per cent of the total waste stream in Victoria is from
the domestic sector.
Landfill leachate - heavy rainfall and associated infiltration of the landfill site at
Plenty and Kangaroo Ground.
Response
See our Rubbish and Waste pages for Council's current waste management
projects.
Public Place Recycling - Clean Up Our Game
Most of the waste generated at a footy game is recyclable. This presented an
opportunity for Whittlesea, Darebin and Nillumbik Councils to partner with the
Northern Football League to develop the “Clean Up Our Game – Recycle” public
place recycling project. Funded by a government grant through Sustainability
Victoria, the project provides an opportunity for spectators attending local football
matches to recycle and contribute to a positive change by raising awareness about
recycling and reducing litter.
Fans can now use the yellow lidded recycling bins at the football grounds to recycle
their glass and plastic drink bottles, cans, cardboard food containers, cardboard
coffee cups, newspapers and magazines.
Kerbside collection service
Council provides several waste management services to the local community
including:
60

residential rubbish, recycling and green waste kerbside bin collection (see
Table 1)

an annual hard waste collection

annual free garden green waste drop off days (to assist with bush fire
preparedness)

collection and disposal of public street litter bins

street sweeping services.
Recycling & Recovery Centre (RRC)
Council operates a Recycling and Recovery Centre which accepts and recycles
excess garden waste and kerbside recyclable materials. The RRC also accepts and
recycles, free of charge to residents:

car batteries

household batteries

clothing

fluorescent tubes and globes

mobile phones

oil and oil containers

cardboard

recyclables.
Waste Education
Council provides residents with several free waste education workshops throughout
the year. These include re-usable nappy and compost workshops. Waste Educators
provide residents and small businesses with waste education, recycling and waste
reduction advice.
Northern and Western Organics Processing Facility
Nillumbik Council is part of the 11 Council’s that will be sending their kerbside green
waste to the in-vessel composting facility located in Bulla. It is estimated that
Nillumbik’s materials will begin processing in 2013. In the interim green waste will
continue to go to Hanson Landfill.
Community Support
61
Council’s waste management unit also supports local sports grounds and community
events such as festivals with waste collection and recycling services.
Detox your home
Detox Your Home is a program that provides permanent facilities to accept gas
cylinders and paint and a mobile service run at different locations throughout Victoria
that accepts a wider range of toxic and hazardous materials. Permanent Detox
facilities are found locally at Darebin Resource Recovery Centre and Banyule
Resource Recovery Centre.
Reuse shop
The Reuse Shop is a unique feature of the Recycling & Recovery Centre. At the
Reuse shop household goods, bicycles, gardening equipment, crockery, toys and
clothing disposed of at the transfer station, but still in good condition are available for
sale. It is run by the Green Wedge Christian Community.
Free garden green waste drop off days
Nillumbik residents have access to free garden green waste drop off days each year
to prepare for the bushfire season.
MobileMuster
MobileMuster is an ongoing program run by the Australian Mobile
Telecommunications Association to prevent mobile phone products going to landfill.
The program accepts free of charge all brands and types of mobile phones, plus
their batteries, chargers and accessories which it then recycles in a safe, secure and
ethical way. Council supports and promotes MobileMuster throughout the Shire.
62
Community
Community engagement and participation is a key ingredient to successfully
addressing local environmental issues. Community participation gives a human face
to environmental issues, empowers people to become active agents of sustainable
and equitable development and promotes an understanding that communities are
pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues. In this section we apply
the State, Pressure, and Response Model to Environmental Education and Capacity
Building.
Community participation
State
At a glance

Community engagement and participation is a key ingredient to successfully
addressing local environmental issues. Community participation:
o
gives a human face to environmental issues
o
empowers people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable
development
o
promotes an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing
attitudes towards environmental issues.

There are 10 Landcare groups operating in the Shire.

There are 19 Friends of groups operating in Council’s environmental reserves.

Friends of groups also operate in several Parks Victoria’s reserves.

There are other environmental groups operating in the Shire including:

o
Friends of Warrandyte State Park
o
Australian Plant Society Yarra Yarra
o
Yarra Valley Bird Observers
o
Montmorency Field Naturalists
o
WCAN
o
Local Food Connect
In 2011/12 approximately 2000 people attended activities organised as part of
the Environmental Events Program.
63

Approximately 6,000 people attend the Practically Green Festival each year.
Pressure

These pressures prevent high levels of community participation to help
address environmental issues

Lack of community awareness and engagement about local environment
issues such as waterway health, rare and endangered species, invasive weeds,
feral animals and habitat fragmentation.

Lack of institutional awareness and capacity to proactively respond to local
and global environmental issues

Barriers to volunteer participation, such as:
o
time constraints
o
lack of resources to support volunteers
o
training requirements
o
insurance issues
o
lack of awareness about local environmental volunteer groups
Response
Environmental Education Strategy
In 2012, Council adopted an Environmental Education Strategy. The purpose of the
Strategy was to analyse Council’s approach to environmental education and provide
strategic direction over the next five years for a relevant and coordinated approach to
environmental education.
Volunteers Policy
Council adopted a Volunteers Policy in 2010 to help overcome barriers to volunteer
participation, such as training requirements and a Shire wide framework for
volunteering. Since its adoption, the policy has contributed to increased
communication and partnerships between Council and volunteer environment
groups.
Environment Advisory Committee & Agricultural Advisory Committee
The Environmental Advisory Committee and the Agricultural Advisory Committee
provide Council with a formal mechanism to consult with key stakeholders, seek
specialist advice and enable community participation in environmental sustainability
64
issues, initiatives, policies and strategies. The committees comprise up to eight
community representatives, selected to reflect a range of interests, expertise and
experience from across the Shire, as well as a Councillor and council officers. The
committees assist and advise Council regarding key environmental and agricultural
issues, provide a forum for dissemination to, and consideration of information by, the
local community, and assist in the preparation, monitoring and review of
environmental strategies and policies.
Edendale
Edendale is a centre that provides a broad range of environmental information; offers
educational programs in environmental sustainability to the local community;
provides open space for picnics and relaxation, and hosts a range of animals.
Volunteering opportunities include maintenance, animal chores and a nursery group
which is involved with plant propagation and gardening.
Edendale provides fun, hands-on and adaptable environmental education activities
specifically designed for preschoolers, primary school students and secondary
students.
Table 1: Number of students attending education programs at Edendale
Program
2010/11
2011/12
Preschools
593
917
Primary schools
2809
3277
Secondary schools
359
876
Special school
35
55
School holiday program
196
79
Tertiary
NIL
30
TOTAL
3992
5234
Environmental Events program
Nillumbik Shire Council runs an annual program of environmental workshops, talks
and events to enable people to learn and share ideas on various environmental
topics.
65
Teachers’ Environment Network
The Teachers' Environment Network (TEN) has been running for five years across
Nillumbik and Banyule municipalities. The Network is coordinated by Edendale’s
Environmental Education team in conjunction with Banyule City Council environment
staff. The Network’s aim is to support teachers in delivering an integrated and locally
relevant sustainability curriculum by:

providing an opportunity for teachers to share knowledge, experiences and
skills about environmental education and school projects

supporting and encouraging schools involved in the Resource Smart - AuSSI
Vic schools program

connecting Councils’ goals with teachers’ goals.
The Network holds two meetings each term. The meetings have relevant guest
speakers and provide an opportunity for discussion and sharing amongst teachers.
Teachers can count attendance at meetings towards Professional Development
requirements for VIT registration.
Landcare
Nillumbik’s Landcare Groups play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of
our unique landscape. They are also a valuable resource of practical support and
knowledge to landowners, especially new landowners. Council therefore values
these Landcare Groups and aims to provide programs to complement and support
the essential role that they perform in the Shire. The Nillumbik Landcare Network,
the Natural Environment Recovery Working Group and the Nillumbik Conservation
Corridors project provide opportunities for the groups to work together on strategic
projects.
Friends Groups
Council’s Environmental Works Unit support Friends of groups operating in Council
reserves. Members predominantly undertake works on Council-managed reserves,
to help protect and enhance the natural environment. Some activities include
revegetation projects, site maintenance, flora and fauna monitoring, water watch
monitoring, plant propagation, involvement in special events such as Clean-Up
Australia Day and weeding and weed mapping.
66
Of the 479 hectares of bushland and wetland reserves that Council has responsibility
for, approximately 193 hectares is under the active management of Friends Groups
(40 per cent).
Rabbit Action Groups
Rabbits move quickly and easily between properties. Council encourages and
supports property owners to work together with their neighbours to address the
rabbit problem by forming Rabbit Action Groups. In 2011-2012 there were eleven
Rabbit Action Groups carrying out rabbit control activities in Nillumbik. Council
coordinated works with some groups nearby Council reserves. Rabbit Action Groups
were also provided with an incentive through Council’s Land Management Incentive
Program.
Community Waterwatch
Waterwatch is a free river health education and monitoring program, which aims to
increase community understanding, participation and ownership of local river health
issues. It involves schools and the community in the assessment and monitoring of
water quality in our stream and wetlands. The Healthy Waterways Waterwatch
Coordinator (part funded by Nillumbik Shire Council) provides talks on freshwater
ecology to schools and groups, provides free training and events and co-ordinates
the volunteer monitoring program. This program is joint-funded by Council and
Melbourne Water.
Home Harvest
Council hosted the first Home Harvest Regional Feast at Edendale on Sunday 22
April 2012. More than 100 local people contributed home grown produce for a
communal feast that was shared by nearly 300 people.
On the day three local food businesses - Real Food Catering, A Boy Named Sue and
Cornutopia - prepared a vegetarian buffet created using the grower's produce.
Practically Green Festival
Council have held the Practically Green Festival at Edendale annually since 2008.
The Festival is held to promote sustainable building and living in a fun and familyfriendly environment. The Festival features around 20 sustainable building and
lifestyle exhibitors as well as market stalls, food vendors, live music, children’s
activities and workshops.
67
Practically Green Sustainability Awards
Council held the Practically Green Sustainability Awards for the first time in 2011 and
then again in 2012. Council give the awards to encourage and promote sustainable
building and environmental initiatives as well as recognising the many activities and
projects undertaken by households, businesses, schools, children’s centres and
community groups that are making a positive contribution to Nillumbik’s
sustainability.
Environmental publications
Council produces a number of environmental publications to support residents to
address environmental issues. These include:

Live Local Plant Local

Home Harvest

Nillumbik’s Native Fauna

Nillumbik’s Environmental Weed Booklet

Rabbit Control

Practically Green Building Guide
Fringe Focus Newsletter
Fringe Focus is a quarterly electronic newsletter produced by Council which aims to
keep the local community up-to-date with environmental issues and events in the
Shire of Nillumbik.
Nillumbik Environment Network (NEN)
The NEN is a network of Nillumbik residents interested in environmental issues.
Council provide NEN members with regular updates via email on environmental
events, issues and concerns relevant to the Shire and offers from Council's current
programs, projects, grants and initiatives.
Spring Outdoors
Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik Councils put together a regional program of
spring environmental events happening in each council location. All residents from
each of the councils are welcome to attend any of the events listed in the program.
68
Council operations
Nillumbik Shire plays a significant role in environmental management. Through
proactively pursuing sustainable development and implementing actions Council will
protect and improve the environment local environment. In this section we apply the
State, Pressure, and Response Model to Water Management, Energy Management,
Fleet, Information Technology, and other Corporate Responses.
Water management
State
At a glance

Analysis of water use data shows that Council has exceeded the target established
in the Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008 for water conservation. Since
2000/01 Council has achieved a 65 per cent reduction in mains water use (target
was 45 per cent) (see Table 1).
Table 1: Council’s water consumption for 2000/01 and 2011/12
Water
Baseline
Current
Reduction
stream
consumption
consumption
(ML/yr)
00/01 (ML/yr)
11/12 (ML/yr)
Mains
% reduction
193
67.4
125.6
65%
Unknown
9.9
Unknown
n/a
90
90
0
0%
water
Rainwater
Licensed
extractions
Other*
Total
25.4
283
n/a
192.7
* Other refers to water sourced from a private dam for road grading purposes
(approximately 100kL per day between November-March and 40kL per day
between April and October)

Over the past eight years, Council have installed 99 rainwater tanks on Council
facilities. The total rainwater tank capacity is 1.5ML. Council also have 3 wetlands
69
and 1 wetland combined with a stormwater harvesting system. The water is used for
a variety of purposes depending on the site including:

o
drinking water
o
toilet flushing
o
fire fighting
o
sports ground irrigation
o
outdoor play
o
gardening
o
road grading
o
nursery
o
laundry
o
pool backwash
Council has a 90ML/yr licence to harvest water from the Plenty River to fill an off-line
dam for the irrigation supply of Yarrambat Golf Course. Council can only divert water
from the Plenty River from 01 June- 30 November.
Council have a number of other extraction licences that are currently not used.
They are located at Falkner Street (from the Diamond Creek) and Eltham Lower
Park (from the Diamond Creek). There is also a currently unused bore located
at Fergusons Paddock.

Table 2 summarises existing Council Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)
projects and associated stormwater flow reduction and pollutant load reductions.
Collectively the WSUD projects reduce stormwater flow volumes and pollutant loads
discharged to local waterways. 9.9 ML/yr of runoff generated across impervious
surfaces is captured and prevented from entering waterways. Over 15,000 kg of
Total Suspended Solid (TSS), 40 kg of Total Phosphorus (TP) and 345 kg of Total
Nitrogen is also removed from stormwater thereby protecting waterways from the
impacts associated with these pollutants.
70
Table 2: Summary of existing WSUD projects and associated stormwater flow reduction and pollutant load reductions
WSUD
Name
WSUD type
Barak
Bushland
Coventry
Oval
Henry
Arthur
Estate
Challenger
Street
Circulatory
Road
Alistair
Knox Park
Council
rainwater
tanks
Eltham
North
Reserve
carpark
Eltham
Leisure
Centre
Wetland
Wetland &
harvesting
Series of
bioretentio
n swales
Wetland
No. of
treatments
Flow
benefits
(kL/yr)
Mains
water
conserved
Stormwater
flow
reduction
(ML/yr)
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TSS
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TP
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TN
1
Flow
benefits
(kL/yr)
Wastewater
reductio
n
n/a
5.5
5,933
11
59
2
n/a
1.2
2,846
5
30
Series
n/a
0.7
1,009
2
11
1
n/a
5.3
4,709
10
67
Raingarden
s
Wetland
10
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1
n/a
1.5
3,630
7
34
Rainwater
tanks
99
9.9
2,973
17
205
9,880
Swale
1
0
5
0.01
0.02
Swale
1
0
5
0.01
0.02
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WSUD
Name
carpark
Edendale
Diamond
Valley
Library
Total
WSUD type
Raingarden
Raingarden
No. of
treatments
Flow
benefits
(kL/yr)
Mains
water
conserved
Flow
benefits
(kL/yr)
Wastewater
reductio
n
1
1
9880
0
Stormwater
flow
reduction
(ML/yr)
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TSS
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TP
Stormwater
pollutant
load
reduction
(kg/yr)
TN
0
0
1
20
0.01
0.02
0.004
0.08
24
21,101
52
406
72
Alistair Knox Wetland
Challenger Street Wetland
Coventry Street Wetland
Coventry Street Lake
Response
Nillumbik Sustainable Water Management Plan 2008
This plan provides strategic direction for improved water management for water
conservation and improved stormwater quality throughout Council operations and
the Nillumbik community. Major achievements to date include:
Council building retrofits
All Council buildings have been retrofitted with dual flush toilets, flow restrictors and
water efficient showerheads to improve water efficiency. Signage has been installed
at these buildings to promote This ongoing project has been well received by tenants
and users.
WaterSmart Sportsground Initiative and warm season grass conversions
This $2.6 million project, delivered over four years, involved the redevelopment of
four sportsgrounds, stormwater harvesting, retrofitting pavilions to reduce potable
water use, and education to increase community and industry awareness in regard
to water saving initiatives. The project commenced in 2007 with works at Eltham
Central Oval, including drought tolerant grasses, installation of sub-surface drip
irrigation systems, and the installation of soil moisture sensors. The drought tolerant
grasses were watered in using recycled water.
73
In 2008, Coventry Wetland was upgraded to harvest and treat stormwater from the
Diamond Creek township, which is then stored in a 10ML capacity lake. The treated
water is now used for irrigation. Marngrook Oval has also been connected to the
system and will be irrigated with stormwater. A rainwater tank has been installed at
the pavilion for toilet flushing. Eltham North Soccer Pitch was replaced with synthetic
turf in 2009.
Council has so far implemented nine warm season grass conversions at various
sportsgrounds throughout the municipality, including the fairways at Yarrambat Golf
Course. This is estimated to reduce the amount of water required for irrigation of
these sportsgrounds by 20 per cent.
Alistair Knox wetland
The lake at Alistair Knox Park was redeveloped in 2007-08 to convert the ponds into
a wetland system. Previously, stormwater from the adjacent residential area in
Eltham was discharging directly into the Diamond Creek with no treatment, polluting
the creek with sediment, litter and excess nutrients. The Alistair Knox Wetland now
receives stormwater from a large urban catchment and this water is treated by the
wetland before the filtered overflow discharges into the Diamond Creek. Interpretive
signage and a viewing platform have been installed to enhance the community’s
experience of the wetland. The project has significantly improved amenity at the site
and has been well received by the community.
St Andrews toilet block
As part of the redevelopment of the St Andrews Hall and reserve, a reed bed septic
system was installed to recycle water for toilet flushing.
Rainwater tank installations
Rainwater tanks have been installed at a number of Council facilities, including
250,000L tanks installed at the Eltham Leisure Centre and the Nillumbik Operations
Centre (used for truck wash down, road grading and other operations). Smaller tanks
have been installed at Eltham Central Oval, Eltham Childcare Co-op, North
Warrandyte Preschool, Eltham Woods Childcare Co-op, Kangaroo Ground
Preschool, and a number of other sites.
Relationship with Yarra Valley Water
Council has developed a good working relationship with Yarra Valley Water,
including working together on education programs and the Support 155 programs
74
(see details below). With the appointment of a Yarra Valley Water Local Government
Program Manager in early 2009, it is expected that this relationship will continue to
develop into the future.
Stormwater Management Plan 2001 Vols 1 & 2
This plan provides an overview of waterway values, threats, risk and
recommendations to address key stormwater issues. It seeks to protect waterway
values and enhance the environmental, economic, recreational and cultural benefits
they bring to the community. Council have completed many of the recommendations
outlined in the Plan, including the installation of gross pollutant traps in many
shopping strip areas.
Integrated Water Management Study (under development)
The study aims to enhance Council’s current strategic and practical approach to
water management.
Energy Management
State
At a glance
In 2011/12, 84 per cent of Council’s total energy consumption was from electricity
use.
Figure 1 shows the pattern in Council’s Electricity Consumption from buildings
between 2007/2008 and 2011/2012.
In 2011/12 Council’s electricity consumption was responsible for the emission of
3946 tCO2-e. This is the equivalent of the emissions from 925 petrol cars for a year.
75
Figure 1 actual amounts:

2007-2008 = 2874357 kWh

2008-2009 = 3102921 kWh

2009-2010 = 3104724 kWh

2010-2011 = 3185341 kWh

2011-2012 = 3261083 kWh
Figure 2 reveals the trends in consumption for Council’s top five electricity users.
The graph shows an overall trend in increasing energy consumption.
At the Diamond Valley Library where work has taken place to reduce electricity use
including installing solar panels a 9.74 per cent reduction in electricity use was
achieved from 2010/11 to 2011/12. Solar panels have also been installed at Panton
Hill Living & Learning where a 25.19 per cent reduction in electricity use between
2010/11 to 2011/12 has been achieved.
At the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, a 9.15 per cent reduction has been achieved
over the same period.
Figure 3 shows Council’s annual gas consumption between 2007/08 and 2011/12.
Following a downwards trend consumption peaked in 2011/12. This can in part be
explained by a colder than average winter and also a significant increase in gas use
at Civic Drive following the installation of new boilers. Although gas was introduced
to some sites in Hurstbridge this data is not included so does not account for the
increase.
76
Figure 3 actual amounts:

2007-2008 = 1704871 MJ

2008-2009 = 1496260 MJ

2009-2010 = 1495199 MJ

2010-2011 = 1467938 MJ

2011-2012 = 2301980 MJ
For 2011/12 Council’s gas consumption was responsible for the emission of 118
tCO2-e. This is the equivalent emissions of 28 petrol cars for a year.
Figure 4 reveals the trends in consumption for Council’s top five gas users. It is
evident that Civic Drive is Council’s largest gas consumer and that consumption
nearly doubled in 2011/12. This increase has resulted from the installation of new,
larger boilers as part of the Civic Drive refurbishment.
77
Response
Ecologically Sustainable Development (Building, Design and Works) Policy 2011
Council have developed the Ecologically Sustainable Development (Building, Design
and Works) Policy to provide guidance on achieving innovative and sustainable
outcomes in capital works projects, including new projects, renewals, upgrades, and
long term operation and maintenance of Council assets.
The policy aims to:

Integrate elements of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) into new
capital works, infrastructure and building renewal and maintenance projects
and the as-built form of Council assets.

Ensure costs of ESD measures are appropriately budgeted for within new
capital works, infrastructure projects and building renewal and maintenance.

Ensure ESD principles are inherent in council contracts, tender specifications
and maintenance procedures.

Ensure an ESD approach is adopted for purchasing decisions relating to capital
works projects.

Outline appropriate wording for contracts and tender documents.

Provide a balance between environmental, economic and social outcomes.

Capture planned projects in a holistic manner from inception to completion, and
be inclusive of long term operation and maintenance procedures.
78
Energy and Water Monitoring
Council continues to develop a tracking system for energy and water consumption
for all its sites and facilities. The system includes threshold triggers to identify
anomalies in consumption so they are further investigated. Council aims to reduce
resource consumption and greenhouse gas generation through improved asset
management and accountability.
Energy Conservation
Council has undertaken numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint including:

Energy efficiency retrofits of existing facilities.

Installing solar systems on Council facilities (see Table 1).

Adoption of design guidelines in new Council facilities.

Fuel efficiency measures in the vehicle fleet.

Retrofitting of streetlights with energy efficient streetlights.

Purchasing carbon offsets for 100 percent of our electricity use in buildings.
Victorian Sustainable Streetlighting Pilot Project
In 2007-2008, Nillumbik Shire Council allocated $375,000 for the conversion of
Council’s streetlights to 2x14W T5 lights. In April 2008, Council, in partnership with
SP-Ausnet, Darebin City Council and City of Wodonga were successful in receiving
a $506,306 grant allocated from Round 3 of the Sustainability Fund managed by
Sustainability Victoria for the implementation of the Sustainable Streetlighting pilot
project. This retrofitting project was the first funded project in Victoria to pilot a bulk
changeover of Council-owned streetlighting.
The Sustainable Streetlighting pilot project involved retrofitting approximately 3,680
80 watt mercury vapour streetlights on minor roads within the project area with the
more energy efficient T5 streetlights.
The project was completed in 2011 and provided both electricity cost savings and
greenhouse gas reductions. Greenhouse gas reduction to 2030 has been estimated
at 18,220 tCO2-e or 911 tCO2-e per annum. The project is on track to achieve a 56
per cent reduction in streetlight electricity greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing
monitoring for a period of two years (to allow for seasonal variations) is required to
obtain accurate data on the true reductions achieved.
79
Table 1: Council’s Solar photovoltaic systems program
Facility
System
Anticipated Total
Tonnes of
No. of Cars
Size (kW)
Annual
Generation
Avoided
Off the
Generation
2012 (kWh)
CO2 2012
Road 2012
(kWh)
Panton Hill
4.37
6832
0
-
0.0
5.13
5994
139.7
0.189
0.0
2.28
2694
531.5
0.718
0.2
7.98
10110
7,685.8
10.376
2.4
12.16
16936
3,505.1
4.732
1.1
7.98
10925
2,479.2
3.347
0.8
River Bend
3.08
4096
945.0
1.276
0.3
Birrarung
1.98
2604
514.7
0.695
0.2
Eltham
3.04
3650
2,426.0
3.275
0.8
Football &
Cricket
Clubrooms
Panton Hill
Playhouse
Panton Hill
Living &
Learning
Centre
Operations
Centre
Diamond
Creek
Community
Centre
Eltham
Performing
Arts Centre
Living &
Learning
80
Facility
System
Anticipated Total
Tonnes of
No. of Cars
Size (kW)
Annual
Generation
Avoided
Off the
Generation
2012 (kWh)
CO2 2012
Road 2012
(kWh)
Centre
Edendale*
1.35
-
-
0.0
Diamond
7.98
10147
647.6
0.874
0.2
3.42
4504
3381.0
4.564
1.1
57.33
73988.4
18,874.6
25.481
6.
Valley
Library
Strathewen
3.675
Pavilion
Allwood
House
Total
Fleet
State

Figure 1 reveals the litres of fuel by type used by the Council fleet for 2010/11
and 2011/12. The Council fleet data includes both the heavy and light fleet. The
heavy fleet is the plant and trucks including the waste and recycling vehicles
and ground maintenance vehicles. The light fleet is the Council pool cars and
Rangers vehicles.
Figure 1: Council Fleet Fuel Use
81

Figure 2 shows the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that the Council fleet
emitted in 2010/11 and 2011/12. In 2010/11 it was 1647 tCO2-e and in 2011/12
it was 1779 tCO2-e.
Important note: The Council fleet data includes the fuel consumed for the private
use of the Council pool cars. This is a small proportion of the total as the majority of
the fuel is used by the heavy fleet.
Figure 2: Council Fleet Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Response
Nillumbik Shire Council Fleet Policy
The intention of the policy is to ensure the equitable and efficient management and
use of Council’s fleet of vehicles. Specifically the policy actively encourages the
selection of vehicles that reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Waste fleet
Council’s old waste fleet included 11 side-loading and 1 rear loading single drive
(single axle) vehicles with a payload limit of approximately 5 tonne per vehicle.
82
As of 2012, the new waste fleet comprises 10 side-loading tandem drive (dual axle)
vehicles with a payload of approximately 10 tonnes per vehicle and a smaller more
versatile rear-loader with a payload of approximately 3 tonnes.
The technical component of the specification for the collection vehicles was
developed to maximise the efficient collection and cartage of green waste, recycling
and garbage presented as part of the residential kerbside collection, as well as the
collection and cartage of waste from street and reserve bins. The configuration of the
collection vehicles will ensure that maximum road load limits are not exceeded while
maximizing the payload and reducing travel distances and times for the whole
collection cycle.
All new vehicles are Euro 5 compliant, which ensures that vehicle emissions (nitrous
oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter) are reduced. Euro 5
compliant vehicles are reported to achieve greater fuel efficiency and it is expected
that operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions will reduce accordingly. The
introduction of the new fleet will assist in meeting Council’s vehicle emissions target.
83