Environment and Climate
As the Green Wedge Shire, Nillumbik Council is acutely aware of the multiple threats facing all communities and ecosystems as a result of climate change. This requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local government.
Climate change is a significant social issue. Our aim as a community is for a Net Zero Nillumbik by 2035 and to be climate resilient. This means we must all work together and act for climate every day. There are many choices we can make that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money at the same time.
Our climate active community
Nillumbik is home to many friends groups, Landcare groups and other environmental groups. There are opportunities to get involved in citizen science projects, join committees and learn more about our local environment.
Find out more about our climate active community.
Climate friendly community projects
Use this checklist and tips to help make your event or project more sustainable and climate friendly, whilst helping Nillumbik achieve net zero community emissions by 2035.
View the Climate friendly community projects checklist(PDF, 203KB)
Environment and climate
Nillumbik is a semi-rural environment and home to a beautiful range of indigenous flora, fauna and habitats. Areas of remnant vegetation are somewhat representative to those prior to European settlement. A large proportion of Nillumbik is covered with remnant indigenous vegetation in a range of types, condition and varying conservation status. Learn more about our Environment.
Nillumbik Shire Council's Climate Action Plan 2022-2032 will guide our response to the challenges posed by climate change over the next decade and outlines a twofold approach, involving mitigation and adaptation. Read about the Climate Action Plan.
Edendale Community Environment Farm
Edendale’s mission is to help our community reduce its negative impacts on the environment and learn about living with climate change. To learn more, attend a workshop or event, buy sustainable products, indigenous plants or veggie seedlings from the shop or nursery, talk to our staff about composting or worm farming, hire a space for your own event or even volunteer to help us run the farm. Visit Edendale Farm.
Nillumbik Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee
The aim of Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee is to enable community members with expertise and experience relating to environment and sustainability to provide advice to Council concerning strategic or policy issues. Read about the Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Waste and recycling
Most household/group facility waste in Nillumbik can be disposed of using our standard bin collection service. Find out more about our bin collection service, including what to put in each bin. If you have waste that does not go in a bin, or does not fit in your bins, there are a number of alternate disposal options. Visit Waste and recycling for more information.
Environment and Sustainability e-newsletter
Our Environment and Sustainability e-newsletter (formally called Fringe Focus) will help keep you up to date with environmental and sustainability news, events and information.
Environment and Sustainability Newsletter
External links
Single-use plastics ban
From 1 February 2023, problematic single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria. The ban applies to single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers and cotton bud sticks made from conventional, degradable, and compostable plastics. The ban also applies to food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene. The ban applies to businesses and organisations including not-for-profits, government, sports clubs, schools and others that are incorporated. Find out more at Reducing plastic pollution starts with us | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au).
Resources to help your organisation make the change
A community group can use these resources to raise awareness about the problems caused by single-use plastics and the benefits of reducing their use.
Single-use plastics ban | Campaign asset library (sustainability.vic.gov.au)
Sustainable event guide
If you are an event organiser, these tips and tools can help you take action on climate change by making your event more sustainable. Sustainable choices around your venue, product purchasing, food and drinks, travel, waste management and more can improve your events impact.
Sustainable event guide - City of Melbourne