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Environmental Partnerships

The Victorian Coalition Government’s Environmental Partnerships outlines the priorities for Victoria's environment. The document is a pathway for action by government, communities and businesses in Victoria to maintain a healthy environment. It was launched by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Ryan Smith MP, on Saturday 10 November.

Environmental Partnerships is built on three aspirations: Environmental Partnerships Front Cover

  • Value the environment and what it has to offer.
  • Act to protect, conserve and maintain the environment.
  • Enjoy the wide range of benefits of a healthy environment now and into the future.
The Victorian Government has identified eight priorities which will help achieve these aspirations:
  1. Maintain healthy biodiversity and productive landscapes from catchment to coast.
  2. Manage our valuable parks, forests and other public land for the benefit of the community.
  3. Manage risks to our communities and landscape from bushfire and floods.
  4. Reduce pollution and improve waste management.
  5. Be smarter with energy and water and prepare for the potential impacts of climate change.
  6. Support practical local action.
  7. Drive best practice environmental regulation and innovative market approaches.
  8. Ensure accountable and efficient environment agencies.

An outline of these priorities is provided in the Environmental Partnerships Overview [PDF File - 639.8 KB]
Environmental Partnerships Overview  (Accessible) [MS Word Document - 92.5 KB]

The full text Environmental Partnerships document details the Victorian Government’s approach to maintaining, protecting and conserving the environment, reiterates the significant achievements already made and sets a clear direction for future action. The document can be downloaded from the links below:

Environmental Partnerships [PDF File - 4.2 MB]
Environmental Partnerships (Accessible) [MS Word Document - 4.0 MB]

Getting the job done

The Victorian Government will continue to get on with practical strategies to improve the environment for all Victorians. The Hon. Ryan Smith MP is regularly announcing new initiatives. Major policy documents released in recent weeks include:

The Minister has also unveiled plans for tough new laws against litter and noise pollution and a reduction in costs and red tape for business.

These significant policy documents are the most recent examples of how the Victorian Government will deliver on priorities in Environmental Partnerships. These initiatives will be about working smarter with what we’ve got and focusing efforts to get practical on-ground environmental outcomes.

Getting involved

To make a real difference it is important that all Victorians work together and actively participate in the care of our environment. There are many ways in which you can take local practical action.

Landcare is a community-based movement that supports a healthy environment and a sustainable future. Coastcare supports community volunteer groups working to protect and enhance Victoria's coastline, and the many “Friends of” groups focus their volunteer efforts on a particular park, conservation area or native flora and fauna species.

Landholders have the opportunity to look after native vegetation and take advantage of market-based incentives such as EcoMarkets. There are also many day-to-day opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment such as making Smarter Choices when purchasing appliances or helping your local school become a Resource Smart School. For more opportunities to get involved please visit Victoria's Volunteering Portal.

The Victorian Government also continues to support on-ground solutions for local environmental issues via programs such as Communities for Nature, Trust for Nature and Land For Wildlife.

Keeping informed

You can find more information about environmental management by visiting the websites of the key environmental agencies such as Parks Victoria, EPA Victoria and Sustainability Victoria.

You can keep informed about topics such as catchment management, coasts and alpine resorts by visiting the websites of the relevant advisory bodies. Alternatively you can visit the DEPI website for more information on climate change, water, waste management and biodiversity. 

The Department of Primary Industries web page provides additional information on energy efficiency.

Staying in contact

You can contact the Victorian Government’s Environmental Partnerships team by emailing: environmental.partnerships@dse.vic.gov.au

By working together we can protect and maintain the things we value and ensure that all Victorians can enjoy what the environment has to offer, now and in the future.

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