Wodonga council will consider adopting sustainability strategy in it’s upcoming meeting

Wodonga Council is considering to adopt a sustainability strategy to reduce emissions in the area. Read the details.

Wodonga city ariel view.

Wodonga councillors will this month decide how the region will become more sustainable.

In its March council meeting, Wodonga council will decide whether or not to adopt a renewed sustainability strategy that covers six key themes, including the local community, ecosystems, energy, waste, sustainable transport and community culture.

This comes after the council received 14 written submissions from community members about planning requirements and targets.

During community consultation about the strategy ten people asked the council to play a more significant role in working with the community in planning to achieve substantial emissions reduction and net-zero targets.

Four people submitted that the council should have included targets around building construction and household energy consumption.

“New housing developments should be doing much more to combat urban heat-trapping and to prevent the urban heat island effect,” council documents showcasing the written submissions said.

“Other cities and councils use the gold standard of 40 per cent urban tree canopy cover as a target, which helps keep temperatures down. We too should be working towards this and enforcing better standards in new developments.”

Other people raised concerns about the lack of specificity in the strategy around targets.

“Many actions are broad and aspirational,” feedback reads.

“Ensure that the final strategy retains science-based targets that are time-bound and measurable.”

Submissions were also made regarding hiring a net zero emission project officer for four years and providing additional staff to work and create a plan with the community to facilitate the necessary action.