Environment and Climate Change >
Environment Policy
The protection of our natural ecosystems is vital to the health of our State. Under the Victorian Labor Government, 13 marine national parks and 11 marine sanctuaries, and more national parks than under any other Victorian Government have been established since 1999. We are continuing to protect and improve the health of our waterways, coasts, forests and atmosphere, reduce waste and promote sustainable development.
Whilst Victoria’s ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world, they are some of the most highly stressed in Australia and will be subject to additional stresses as a result of climate change. Poor land management practices in the past have caused significant damage, with 44 per cent of our native plants and 30 per cent of native animals now extinct or threatened.
Victoria’s Environmental Sustainability Framework is a long-term policy framework which aims to make environmental sustainability a consideration in policy-making across Government. It sets out a clear vision for Victoria to become a more sustainable State over the next generation by achieving the following sustainability objectives:
- Healthy and productive land
- Healthy and productive water systems
- Healthy marine and coastal areas
- Flourishing biodiversity in healthy ecosystems
- Clean air
- A comprehensive network of parks
- Less waste and better resource efficiency
- Sustainable forests
- Increased water, energy and materials efficiency
- Reduced climate impact
- Communities with a water, energy and materials-saving ethic
- Liveable cities and towns
- Efficient transport systems
We are continuing to protect areas of environmental significance. As an example, cattle grazing has been banned in the unique Alpine National Park. Three new major metropolitan parks are currently being established at Craigieburn, Melton and Werribee and a legislated ban on dams in 18 heritage rivers in Victoria is also being implemented.
Logging in the Otways has been reduced by 25 per cent, whilst the timber industry has reduced logging across the State by a third and ceased woodchipping in the Wombat Forest. VicForests has been established to manage logging operations on a commercial and environmentally sustainable basis.
Through Melbourne 2030, the Government’s overarching planning scheme for Melbourne and its surrounds, Melbourne’s green wedge areas are now protected by legislation and population growth will be sustainably managed.
Twelve new recycling centres are being constructed across Victoria to enable more Victorians to safely dispose of potentially harmful materials, whilst an industrial scheme to help the State’s 250 biggest energy and waste users reduce their impact on the environment is being implemented. Twelve new waste recovery centres for old paint, batteries, computers and other goods are also being established, and industrial hazardous waste is being reduced through an increase in land fill levies.
