Media Releases
The City of Melbourne has been certified carbon neutral as part of its undertaking to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities.
Environment Portfolio Chair Councillor Arron Wood said certification by Low Carbon Australia against the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) was a solid demonstration of the City of Melbourne’s commitment to a more sustainable Melbourne.
“We’re already one of the world’s most liveable cities, our challenge now is to ensure we are one of the world’s most sustainable cities,” Cr Wood said.
“As part of our work we’re delivering new waste management solutions, upgrading several of our council buildings by installing efficient heating, cooling and water systems and making improvements to Melbourne Town Hall which will result in significant savings in lighting costs.”
Better funding for roads, a smarter approach to disaster management and a fairer go for Queensland in relation to the way federal money finds its way to local councils are among the policies that local government is calling on political parties to adopt as part of their federal election platforms.
The Local Government Association of Queensland’s 10 Point Federal Election Policy Plan also urges federal election candidates to ensure local councils receive better funding so the communities they represent are able to adequately adapt to the impact of climate change.
LGAQ President Margaret de Wit said the 10 Point Plan listed the policy changes affecting local government that should occur after the next federal election.
'This plan sets out a necessary and achievable policy platform for political parties to adopt in the run up to the 14 September federal election,' Cr De Wit said
The Council has proposed four options for the light rail route through the city that would avoid the need for it to access two busy pedestrian malls and detract from the traffic-free amenity of the city's retail heart.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the options centred on using St Georges Terrace or Wellington Street instead of the Hay and Murray Street Malls.
Ms Scaffidi said that during the State election campaign Transport Minister Troy Buswell had indicated that the final CBD route for the proposed light rail system was yet to be confirmed.
“With the return of the Government, the Council now looks forward to the light rail project proceeding,” Ms Scaffidi said. “It is a visionary project that will greatly improve passenger movements and help to reduce congestion
The City of Fremantle last night announced the establishment of the ‘Fremantle Union’ – a significant partnership with four government agencies with planning responsibilities within and adjacent to the Fremantle Commercial Business District.
The union − comprising the City of Fremantle, Western Australian Planning Commission, Department of Planning, Fremantle Port Authority, Department of Transport and Public Transport Authority – has been established to provide an efficient, non–bureaucratic vehicle for facilitating the delivery of aspects of the City’s economic development strategy, leading to Fremantle reclaiming the title of Perth’s second city. A key role for the Fremantle Union will be to support the development of a structure plan for the Fremantle commercial business district and surrounds.