Agenda of Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee

HELD IN Committee Room 3, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange

ON 13 December 2019

COMMENCING AT 8.02am

1 Introduction

Attendance

Cr S Nugent (Chairperson), Cr J McRae, Cr M Previtera (8.24am), Ms Shahreen Alford, Mr Robert Alford, Mrs Neina Campbell, Mr Ronald Finch, Mr Andrew Kennedy, Mr Nick King, Dr David Mallard, Ms Melanie McDonell, Mrs Anne Salter, Mr Cyril Smith, Mr Peter West, Ms Kate Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer, Acting Director Development Services, Manager Waste Services and Technical Support, Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager, Manager Depot, Airport and Emergency Services

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence

RECOMMENDATION Cr J McRae/Mr P West

That the apologies be accepted from Miss Anwen Carney, Mr Daniel Fock, Mrs Kate Hook for the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting on 13 December 2019.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Country

1.3 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

Chief Executive Officer declared a less than significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 5.1 - Energy Democracy as he owns property nearby a development proposal associated with the report.

Crs J McRae, S Nugent and M Previtera declared a less than significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 5.1 - Energy Democracy as Councillors they will be involved in the decision making process in regards to a development proposal associated with the report.

2 Previous Minutes

RECOMMENDATION Cr J McRae/Mr R Finch

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee held on 18 October 2019(copies of which were circulated to all members) be updated to reflect changes in item 4.1 and 5.2, and can hereby confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting held on 18 October 2019.

3 Council Updates

3.1 Energy Procurement

TRIM Reference: 2019/2780

Council’s Chief Executive Officer updated the Committee on Energy Procurement.

The process started with CENTROC (now the JO) getting their member Councils to “bulk up” their energy usage before going to market. Orange City Council resolved to aim for 20% renewable energy to be included if it was financially the smarter option. Due to government crack downs on Solar Farms in South Australia, it wasn’t financially in Council’s best interest to procure 20% renewables. Currently they are involved in a 3 year contract, which includes 14.5% renewables (the Grid level). During the term of the contract, Council can procure up to 20% renewables without breaching the contract.

Orange City Council currently has $700,000 saved for use on future energy projects, which is in addition to the $500,000 Council will save from the Southern Lights LED Project.

RECOMMENDATION Ms M McDonell/Mr A Kennedy

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Chief Executive Officer be acknowledged

3.2 Water Update

TRIM Reference: 2019/2781

Council’s Chief Executive Officer and Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager updated the Committee on Water.

Council has received $5 Million in funding to put towards projects that will assist with the future Water Security of Orange. $2.5 Million will be used on the construction of a pipeline to pump water from Spring Creek Reservoir directly to the water treatment plant on Icely Road, ultimately bypassing Suma Park Dam. This project will aim to be completed by June 2020. The other $2.5 Million will be used on the second stage of the Blackmans Swamp Stormwater Harvesting system.

The Committee requested that the link to the Integrated Water Cycle Management information and information on the Blackmans Swamp upgrade be distributed to members. This information is available on Council’s website.

The Committee was also advised that Orange City Council will be enforcing Level 5A water restrictions in the near future. The trigger point for moving to Level 5A is 25%, the current total storage is around this mark. Staff are meeting next week to discuss and present their findings and recommendation/s to the Councillors for a decision to be made.

Water Forums for businesses and housing will continue in the new year. A housing summit will be in Orange next week and they will be addressed regarding water.

An application by Council has been made to the State Government under the Critical Needs Act to lower the trigger point for pumping via the Macquarie Pipeline from 108 megalitres to 30 megalitres. This would be a temporary arrangement which would waver once water levels rise above the ‘emergency” level, which is 50%. (continued over page)

An application has also been made for a permanent change to reduce the threshold from 108megalitres to 70 megalitres. This would mean that the threshold in emergency situations (should the first application be approved) would be 30 megalitres and outside of this return to 70 megalitres instead of 108. A new application to again lower the threshold would need to be submitted in future for emergencies.

RECOMMENDATION Dr D Mallard/Ms M McDonell

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Chief Executive Officer and Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager be acknowledged.

4 PRIORITY PROJECT TEAM Updates

4.1 Water PRIORITY PROJECT teAM Update

TRIM Reference: 2019/2785

Committee Member Mr C Smith distributed a report to the Committee via email on Thursday 12 December 2019, and as a hardcopy at the meeting.

A discussion was held in regards to the motions presented in the report.

Permanent Water Saving Rules

A motion was presented to the Committee to request these be developed and subsequently adopted as part of the Integrated Water Cycle Management (ICWM). These ‘rules’ would essentially replace Level1 and Level 2 Water Restrictions, and be enforced permanently, regardless of the water levels, i.e. continuous/permanent Level 2 restrictions enforced. Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across Victoria.

The State Government of NSW is looking to review the current Water Restrictions. The “levels” system is familiar across the state. There is concern that changing the first two levels to ‘rules’ and enforcing levels thereafter may cause confusion with residents and visitors who are already familiar with and adapted to the current restrictions system.

Stormwater Harvesting System

A motion was presented to the Committee requesting a report be prepared detailing the future development of the Stormwater Harvesting System (SWHS) for the next 5 years. Reference was made to Item 3.2 - Water Update, where a request was made for the information currently available on the IWCM (including the SWHS Plans) to be circulated to the Committee.

The motion was subsequently amended to request that the information already available i.e. the link being circulated (see above) be investigated by the Water Priority Project team to identify any gaps before reporting back to the Committee. A report can then be requested to fill these information gaps for the Committee and Community.

Other Business

Water Table Data shows that levels have dropped, this is relevant as a lot of water users have private bores. Staff met with the Drought Co-ordinator who has offered the services of the Departments Hydrogeologist to assist with research in this area.

(continued over page)

Full Time Water Ranger has been appointed and is contracted for the next 12 months.

There is a Stakeholders Reference group which includes all people identified as being affected by proposed changes to the downstream flows

RECOMMENDATION Mr C Smith/Mrs A Salter

That the Committee request Council staff investigate the idea of “Permanent Water Saving Rules” to ‘replace’ Levels 1 and 2 Water Restrictions in Orange and report back to the Committee with their findings

RECOMMENDATION Cr J McRae/Mr R Finch

That the request for a Report on the 5 year future plans for the Blackmans Swamp Stormwater Harvesting System be deferred until the Water Priority Project Team has had an opportunity to assess the current available information to identify gaps etc. and present their findings to the Committee at a future meeting.

**Cr Previtera arrived with the time being 8.24am**

4.2 Energy PRIORITY PROJECT teAM Update

TRIM Reference: 2019/2782

The Council building chiller project has been undertaken and is producing good results. They project good savings on energy and costs. The system has assisted in correcting issues to do with poor power factors.

The system acts like a single room airconditioning unit by pumping out warm air. It could assist in replacing thermal radiant heating in the cooler months.

Consideration should be made in terms of integrating all of the systems into one, rather than having rooms/areas in the buildings that have a separate air conditioning system.

The LED Lights project in Summer Street has been completed and projects savings of $30,000/year. One concern is the brightness of the lights, due to glare, however feedback has been positive so far.

The LED Bulbs for the Southern Lights Project are in Orange. It is anticipated that all the bulbs in Orange will be replaced by the end of the Financial Year. A good place to go to see the difference these bulbs make is Cargo Road.

The Sustainability Officer - interviews have been completed and staff have a suitable candidate to appoint. Currently in the process of getting the offer out for them to start early January 2020. The position will report to the Manager Building and Environment and will be involved in both Organisational and Strategic Roles. They will also be taking over as Committee Clerk for the Committee.

Projects

Animal Shelter Solar Project is underway.

The Aquatic Centre Solar Project is on the books for 2020.

Council’s Manager Depot, Airport and Emergency Services spoke to the Committee regarding the Airport Solar Project. Council has received a grant which will be used to fund a secure carport at the airport. Solar Panels will be put on the roof of the structure and produce 100kw Solar for the airport to utilize. (recommendations over page)

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Alford/Mr A Kennedy

That congratulations be extended to Council staff involved with the Chiller project on behalf of the Committee.

RECOMMENDATION Ms S Alford/Ms K Willoughby

That the remainder of the discussion be acknowledged.

** Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager left with the time being 8.39am**

4.3 Waste Update

TRIM Reference: 2019/2783

Council’s Manager Waste Services and Technical Support presented an update to the Committee on Waste.

On 19 October 2019, the annual Hazardous Waste Collection day was conducted. Numbers were down significantly from last year in both patronage and volume of waste collected. This is attributed to CRC.

In February, a regional tyre tender will be undertaken by J R Richards, due to the contract with JRW being near expiry.

The team has created an Educational Video on Council’s Resource Recovery Facilities at Ophir and Euchareena Road. It is targeted to school children and addresses Waste Management Operations across both facilities.

Council is working with Envirocom to assist in waste auditing with Businesses in Orange. They’re offering free advisory services for businesses to assist them in better resource recovery. Any resources required will also be given to businesses in the first instance at no cost to them.

They have also been undertaking residential waste audits. Last week, 500 organics bins were audited. Preparation is in the final stages for the audit of 500 recycling bins. Envirocom go out before the J R Richards waste collection trucks and check the bins selected for audit. A ‘sticker’ with a J (for bins where no contamination is found) or L (for contaminated bins) is then left on the bin with information regarding what can and can’t go in each bin.

The Committee was informed about TerraCycle - a company that specialises in hard to recycle materials like Batteries and toothbrushes. They have been involved with some Councils, e.g. Cairns, by providing collection boxes for specific items. There is a charge involved for collection, approx. $180/box. Colgate also does free collection of Oral Hygiene items, i.e. toothbrushes etc.

RECOMMENDATION Ms K Willoughby/Ms M McDonell

1 That the Plastics (Waste) Priority Projects Team and Council’s Manager Waste Services and Technical Support investigate the feasibility of engaging with TerraCycle in Orange, including budget requirements.

2 That the remainder of the discussion be acknowledged.

** Cr J McRae left with the time being 8.51am**

4.4 Biodiversity PRIORITY PROJECT teAM Update

TRIM Reference: 2019/2784

Committee Member Mr P West presented an update on Biodiversity to the Committee.

The Threatened Species Information has been presented to the Committee and others previously. A hardcopy report and Map was passed around at the meeting for the Committee to note. The data collected is currently restricted specifically to the Orange LGA.

Process

2014 - Inventory was taken of existing data sets in regards to threatened species. This was then collated and any gaps identified.

Now- Data sets from other organisations are being collected and combined to create a more detailed picture. This data will be used to inform the LEP and identify areas for conservation and restoration.

Wednesday 18 December - A workshop is being held at ELF from 11-2. This is an opportunity for ‘localised’ data to be collected from individuals and small groups/organisations. It will hopefully provide more detailed/finer data sets to be integrated into the existing data.

The hope is for the ‘completed’ Biodiversity Data set to be able to be passed onto State Government and associated organisations, and assist in guiding future surveys.

RECOMMENDATION Dr D Mallard/Mr Nick King

That the verbal report presented to the Committee be acknowledged.

**Manager Depot, Airport and Emergency Services left with the time being 9.03am**

**Mr Nick King left with the time being 9.04am**

4.5 Plastics PRIORITY PROJECT teAM UPDATE

TRIM Reference: 2019/1648

Ms Melanie McDonell and Ms Kate Willoughby provided an update in conjunction with the Plastics Report, to the Committee.

Coles and Woolworths currently have collection points for soft plastics and ‘Lids for Kids’. A request was made to see if Council could set up a community collection point for the same purposes. A suggestion was made that this could be included with the TerraCycle collection bins.

A request was made that Council Staff investigate implementing a single use plastic bag ban and start phasing out single use plastics such as cheap take-away containers etc. This type of ban is already in place in a lot of areas.

An update on the “Environmental Leadership Awards” has been requested.

RECOMMENDATION Ms K Willoughby/Ms M McDonell

The Environmental Sustainability Community Committee recommends that:

(continued over page)

1 Council investigate the cost and potential locations for 6 to 10 additional water bottle filling stations in the CBD and other areas in the city with high pedestrian traffic.

2 Council investigate the feasibility of installing a soft plastics and “Lids for Kids” collection point in a central, publically accessible location in Orange.

3 Council research the NZ and ACT Models for single-use plastic bag bans, as well as one at Council level and report back to the Environmental Sustainability Committee in the first half of 2020.

4 Council establish an inter-disciplinary team to plan for an expanded involvement in the 2020 Plastic Free July Event.

5 GENERAL BUSINESS

The Committee resolved to address Item 5.3 as the first item of General Business due to its previous deferral from the 9 August meeting.

5.3 Impact of Changing Weather Conditions in Orange - by Robert Alford

TRIM Reference: 2019/2787

Mr Robert Alford addressed the Committee, in conjunction with the report previously provided.

Key Points raised:

- Leaders in our community, i.e. Councillors, Politicians etc., need to be made aware of the current situation caused by changing weather conditions

- This needs to happen in order for sufficient action to be taking to reduce the negative impacts and risks associated with these changes.

- Impacts affect a range of areas, including health, business, economy etc.

- A focus group (Priority Project Team perhaps) specifically to engage with the community and leaders in the community in order to raise awareness.

The Committee agreed to create a Priority Project Team to focus on this area, which will be overlooked in its initial stages by Mr Alford. The Sustainability Officer, once appointment, can assist with this Project Group. Interest is to be sent through to Mr Alford, or the Committee admin assistant.

Points 1-4 in the report consist of initial focus areas for the new Sustainability Officer.

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Alford/Ms K Willoughby

1 The Committee create a Priority Project Group for the Impact of Changing Weather Conditions (name to be decided), overseen by Committee member Mr R Alford, and interested members notify Mr Alford.

2 The remainder of the report and discussion be acknowledged.

5.1 Energy Democracy

TRIM Reference: 2019/2547

Chief Executive Officer and Crs J McRae, S Nugent and M Previtera declared a less than significant non-pecuniary interest. They remained in the Meeting for the discussion.

A request was made that this item be referred to the Energy Project Priority Team for an initial look before they report back to ESCC at a meeting in 2020.

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Alford/Ms S Alford

That this item be deferred until the Energy Project Priority Team has an opportunity to read over the report and present their findings to the Committee at a meeting in 2020.

5.2 Environmental Sustainability Community Committee 2020 and Beyond - Education PRIORITY PROJECT group

TRIM Reference: 2019/1640

A report was presented to the Committee by the Education Priority Project Group.

Key Points:

- It was noted that the Committee has worked on improving its partnership with Council, but further improvement is still needed.

- The Committee would like to create a “Legacy” for the next ESCC group, possibly giving them things to work off in order to assist in the Committee becoming more successful in the future.

The Education Priority Project Team will work to collate information together to ‘handover’ to the next Committee group after the 2020 elections and possibly assist other Community Committees in how they choose to conduct and continue in their operations with Council.

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Cr S Nugent

That

1 The current working groups aim to complete their work plans for the identified priority projects by September 2020

2 The Environmental Sustainability Community Committee continues to develop the consultation, collaboration and forum agenda hierarchy for setting agendas

3 The Education Working Group prepares a handover report that highlights the results, lessons and benefits of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee to Council and the Community

4 The Committee note the report, including the issues identified and proposed responses

**Mr Peter West left the meeting with the time being 9.17am**

5.4 Meeting Dates - 2020

TRIM Reference: 2019/2786

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Finch/Dr D Mallard

That the following meetings for the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee be arranged for 2020:

1 Friday 14 February 2020

2 Friday 10 April 2020

3 Friday 12 June 2020

4 Friday 14 August 2020

MATTER ARISING Member K Willoughby/Cr S Nugent

The following report items be prepared for the first ESCC Meeting of 2020, scheduled for Friday 14 February:

1 Sustainable Living Week - Follow up report

2 Bees Wax Wrap update - Kate Willoughby

The Meeting Closed at 9.30AM.

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

Environmental Sustainability Community Committee

HELD IN Councillors Workroom, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange

ON 14 February 2020

COMMENCING AT 8.00am

1 Introduction

Attendance

Cr S Nugent (Chairperson), Cr J McRae, Ms Shahreen Alford, Mr Robert Alford, Mrs Melissa Brown, Miss Anwen Carney, Mr Ronald Finch, Mr Gavin Hillier, Mrs Kate Hook, Mr Andrew Kennedy, Mr Nick King, Ms Melanie McDonell, Mrs Anne Salter, Mr Cyril Smith, Ms Kate Willoughby, Mr Ken Freedman, Mrs Maria Shaw, Ms Katherine Allan, Chief Executive Officer, Director Development Services, Water Treatment Manager, Manager City Presentation Manager Waste Services and Technical Support, Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager, Water Management Officer

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Ms M McDonell

That the apologies be accepted from Cr M Previtera, Mrs Neina Campbell, Museum and Heritage Coordinator, Peter West for the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting on 14 February 2020.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Country

1.3 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

Nil

2 Previous Minutes

RECOMMENDATION Mr R Alford/Ms S Alford

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee held on 13 December 2019 (copies of which were circulated to all members) are hereby confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting held on 13 December 2019 with the exception of Item 5.2 as follows:

5.2 - That the ‘Education and Priority Project Group’ be replaced with ‘Cr Stephen Nugent and Andrew Kennedy’ and, that the second key point be changed to the following ‘The committee would like to create a ‘Legacy document’ for the next ESCC group to consider’.

MATTERS ARISING Mr R Alford/Ms S Alford

Item 5.1 Energy Democracy –The matter should not be considered further by ESCC due to the commercial nature of the item

3 Presentations

3.1 Sustainable Living Week - Update Report

TRIM Reference: 2019/2819

Verbal report

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Mr R Finch

That the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee invite John Mills to provide a presentation/update at the next ESCC meeting, on Sustainable Living Week.

3.2 Bees Wax Wrap update - Kate Willoughby

TRIM Reference: 2020/47

Beeswax wrap stall was a huge success at sustainable living week and was received well with plenty of interest.

Beeswax wraps provide an alternative to foil and plastic wraps.

As a result Kate is working with the Wellington Landcare group to educate their community of the benefits of beeswax wraps.

There are currently 50 members of the Amateur Beekeepers Association who are currently investigating the potential to install a fenced area at Orange City Council’s Environmental Learning Facility to be able to hold bee hives and provide education opportunities.

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Ms M McDonell

That the verbal report presented by Kate Willoughby be acknowledged.

3.3 Water Update

TRIM Reference: 2020/83

Verbal Report and presentation.

Water forums are currently being conducted by Councils Water team for businesses who are in the top 50 for commercial water use. These includes pubs, hotels, aged care providers and clubs. Of the top 50 identified commercial water users, 32 water audits have been completed by Council. Once all of these businesses are audited, contact will be made by Council staff regarding progress with audit recommendations.

The Smart meter project will assist local businesses to better manage and track their water use. The project will see the replacement of existing water meters of the top 50 water users with a Smart meter which provides real time data to the cloud and can be reviewed via an application at any time. This project is expected to be rolled out by June 2020.

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Mr N King

That Council staff provide a short report summarising notes, ideas and suggestions from the community water forums which were held over January and February 2020.

RECOMMENDATION Mr A Kennedy/Mr N King

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager be acknowledged.

**The Water and Sewerage Strategic Manager left the meeting with the time being 9am**

** The Water Management Officer left the meeting with the time being 9am**

3.4 Update on trialling dual waste bins in the CBD - Wayne Davis

TRIM Reference: 2020/214

Verbal report.

RECOMMENDATION Ms M McDonell/Mr A Kennedy

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Manager Waste Services and Technical Support be acknowledged.

3.5 Update Orange Transitioning to a Water Sensitive City - Cyril Smith

TRIM Reference: 2020/251

Verbal Report

RECOMMENDATION

That the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee recommends to the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee that Council appoint staff necessary to engage with the Cooperative Research Centres Water Sensitive Cities to develop a strategy to compile information for a preliminary report, Orange transition to a water Sensitive City, to be completed for presentation to Orange City Council for consideration.

3.6 Water use in Orange and the Natural Environment - Incoming Correspondence

TRIM Reference: 2020/255

Letter relating to water use and in Orange and the Natural Environment.

RECOMMENDATION Mr C Smith/Mrs A Salter

That the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee note the letter for further discussion.

3.7 Climate Change

TRIM Reference: 2020/261

Council’s current approach is to develop a framework that includes identified climate change risks (Echelon risk report) and develop a supplementary management plan with community consultation.

RECOMMENDATION Member K Willoughby/Mrs K Hook

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Chief Executive Officer be acknowledged.

**Cr J McRae left the meeting with the time being 9.30am**

**Chief Executive Officer left the meeting with the time being 9.30am**

** Mr Ken Freedman left the meetings with the time being 9.30am**

3.8 Biodiversity mapping update

TRIM Reference: 2020/262

Council staff have engaged local community biodiversity groups to assist in collating available information from any previous studies or projects regarding threatened species in the Orange Local Government area.

Environmental Factor have provided Council with a draft map containing layers for existing water corridors, plant community types (based on canopy) and some known records of threatened species. Council staff will be ‘Ground Truthing’ remnant vegetation in areas outlined for potential future development by the Local Housing Strategy (in development). The map is expected to be completed in May 2020 and will inform both the Local Housing Strategy and Council’s Local Environmental Plan

RECOMMENDATION

That the verbal report presented by Council’s Manager City Presentation be acknowledged

The Meeting Closed at 9.44am