Highlights
Our Environment, Our Future - Sustainability Action Statement 2006 contains new investment of more than $200 million and 150 initiatives. Highlights are:
1. Responding to climate change
2. Maintaining and restoring our natural assets
3. Using our resources more efficiently
4. Reducing our everyday impacts
5. Government leadership
1. Responding to climate change |
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- Require energy retailers to buy 10% of their energy from renewable sources
- $12.5 million for renewable energy research and commercialisation
- Require Victoria’s 250 biggest energy and water users to cut waste under new EPA laws
- Establish a new Research Centre for Climate Change to prepare for local impacts
- Support ‘smart energy communities’ to use solar and wind power
- Help households save energy with new “smart” power meters
2. Maintaining and restoring our natural assets |
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- $21 million to provide economic incentives for landowners to participate in solving problems
- Produce a White Paper on protecting biodiversity and restoring land
- Legislate to protect 18 heritage rivers including the Yarra and Mitchell from damming
- $6 million to improve water quality and reduce algal blooms in the Gippsland Lakes
- Establish an EPA Strike force to track illegal pollution sources into the Yarra
- Recruit more Victorians to Landcare
3. Using our resources more efficiently |
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- Legislate to enable a ban on free plastic shopping bags
- Establish 12 waste recovery centres for old paint, batteries, computers and other goods
- Reduce industrial hazardous waste by increasing land fill levies to fund waste reduction
- $15 million for industry grants to help businesses avoid waste
- $4 million to support the dairy industry to save water
4. Reducing our everyday impacts |
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- $4 million to roll-out the GreenHome program showing householders how to save water, energy and reduce waste
- $7.5 million for a community campaign to save energy and reduce waste in households
- Introduce rebates to encourage replacement of old fridges and heaters with 5 Star alternatives, and for upgrading of old gas-ducting and insulation.
- $5.9 million to help Victorians live more sustainably through community grants, incentives and local programs
- Establish a National Centre for Sustainability to teach environmental sustainability
- Upgrade all public housing to AAA shower heads and dual flush toilets
- Green the Government car fleet by purchasing 150 hybrid cars and using ethanol fuel
- Introduce 5 Star minimum standards for new office accommodation
- $7 million for hospitals and aged care facilities to be energy and water smart
- Recycle or reuse all Government computers and support suppliers who take back packaging
