Environmental stewardship

We will focus on the following priorities in support of
this objective:

• advocate to the Victorian Government for housing diversity
  outcomes that maintain our unique local identity
• advocate for improved social and affordable housing outcomes
• increase our advocacy to all levels of government to take action on housing stress and housing diversity in our community

• Maintain or increase trees planted annually, prioritising indigenous species where possible and appropriate
• Maintain or increase indigenous trees and understory plantings

• We planted 440 trees from July to December 2025. Tree planting numbers were lower than planned due to contractual and supply issues. We have now re‑tendered the planting and establishment contract, with new works scheduled to begin before the 2026 tree planting season so we can continue increasing tree canopy across the City.
  
• Indigenous trees and understory plantings are reported annually. Progress will be available in our Annual Report.
  

• Community indigenous planting events held in collaboration Traditional Owners
• Community indigenous plant giveaways in collaboration Traditional Owners

We have continued engagement with Traditional Owners, who have expressed strong interest in partnering on community planting activities.

We are developing proposals for indigenous planting events and plant giveaways in high‑biodiversity areas to build our community’s connection to nature and Caring for Country. These proposals will be presented to Traditional Owners in the coming months to confirm opportunities for collaboration.

• Biodiversity surveys conducted to assess local flora and fauna across identified target sites
• Commence development of management plans prepared for areas of significant biodiversity value

We took part in the Great Southern Bioblitz in October 2025, our community recorded 145 observations across 88 species in Glen Eira.

We are now working with external experts to design biodiversity research and data collection programs at priority sites. This work will inform the development of management plans for areas with significant biodiversity value.

We will focus on the following priorities in support of this objective:

• collaborate with our partners to raise community awareness and support and promote community education about preventing pollution and improving air quality
• encourage environmentally sustainable and water-sensitive urban design
• enhance our approach to integrated water management and stormwater systems

• Water sensitive urban design assets installed
• Air quality — during the term of this Council Plan, we will explore developing a strategic indicator for measuring/monitoring air quality in conjunction with actions within the Climate Emergency Response Strategy

• Water sensitive urban design assets are reported annually. Progress will be available in our Annual Report.
  
• We’re investigating the best technology and methodology about how to measure and monitor local air quality as part of implementing the Climate Emergency Response Strategy. Work to develop an appropriate target will be undertaken during this Council Plan term, ensuring it aligns with actions in the Strategy and supports long‑term community health and environmental outcomes.
  

• Research commissioned to identify and analyse sources of harmful air pollutants across Glen Eira
• Research report identifying air pollution sources, and those that are the most harmful to our environment and community
• Report to Council recommending actions Council may take within its authority to address the research findings

Report to Council recommending actions Council may take within its authority to address the research findings.

The study report, due in quarter four of 2025– 2026, will outline the most harmful pollutants and recommend actions we can take within our authority to address them.

• Community events focussed on improving waterway health and litter reduction conducted
• Glen Eira approach to reduce litter impacting the Elster Creek developed connecting Brighton East to McKinnon

• Updated draft Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan developed

The Elster Creek CEO Forum has endorsedthe updated draft Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan 2026–2027. We will continue working with Melbourne Water and neighbouring councils to finalise the Plan.

We will focus on the following priorities in support of this objective:

• deliver and enhance the accessibility of low-emission technologies across our assets and services through partnerships with others (e.g. EVs, solar, energy efficiency)
• raise community awareness about reducing energy use, clean energy adoption and sustainable transport

• Zero council emissions from natural gas, fuel, refrigerant and electricity usage by 2031
• Community emissions — during the term of this plan, we will explore developing a strategic indicator for measuring/monitoring community emissions in conjunction with actions within the Climate Emergency Response Strategy

• We’re progressing our zero council emissions pathway through the transition off gas program, supported by our investment in Victorian Energy Collaboration which supplies 100 per cent renewable, locally sourced electricity.
  
• We’re exploring ways to measure community emissions during this Council Plan term. This work will align with the Climate Emergency Response Strategy and support future monitoring and reporting.
  

• Carnegie Library
• Caulfield Park Pavilion, Caulfield North
• EE Gunn Reserve and grandstand, Ormond
• East Bentleigh Senior Citizens Centre
• Marlborough Street reserve, Bentleigh East
• McKinnon Kindergarten
• Princes Park Caulfield South DC Bricker Pavilion

We are progressing our transition off gas at seven priority sites. Upgrades at East Bentleigh Senior Citizens Centre, Marlborough Street Reserve Pavilion and McKinnon Kindergarten are complete.

Carnegie Library is 60 per cent complete, with design and tender work underway.

Designs for Caulfield Park Pavilion, EE Gunn Reserve and the DC Bricker Pavilion are yet to commence.

• Community climate emissions study commissioned
• Research report identifying sources of climate emissions
• Report to Council recommending actions within Council authority to address the research findings

• Six fossil–fuelled vehicles replaced with electric vehicles

• Documented approach established to define Council’s position on how to best support community uptake of electric vehicles

We will focus on the following priorities in support of this objective:

• enhance community awareness and participation in waste reduction and circular economy initiatives

• Increase waste diverted from landfill

• We diverted 15,118 tonnes of waste from landfill between July and December 2025, this is an increase and a positive sign we are on track. This includes materials collected through kerbside recycling, green waste bins and the booked hard‑waste service. The amount diverted can vary due to seasonal factors, such as low rainfall and dry conditions that reduce garden waste, as well as changes in community behaviour, including increased use of the Container Deposit Scheme.
  

• Glen Eira Circular Economy Plan 2022–2026 final year of plan implemented conducted
• Draft Circular Economy Plan 2026–2030 engagement activities developed and implemented
• Draft Circular Economy Plan 2026–2030 developed

• Bin inspection data gathered identifying contamination and incorrect waste sorting issues
• Targeted education and behaviour change programs to improve waste sorting and reduce contamination
• Benchmarking report identify other Local Government Area (LGA) successful waste diversion programs that could be introduced in Glen Eira
• Litter prevention initiatives integrated into existing Council processes

We’ve delivered targeted waste education at major events, libraries and festivals, reaching thousands of residents. Our Waste Champions program is improving waste management at 106 apartment blocks. Our education is supported by ongoing communications promoting composting, e‑waste recycling, repair cafés and correct waste sorting.

Additional contamination management programs, including bin inspections for food and organics and commingled recycling, will begin in February 2026 to support cleaner recycling and improved kerbside services.

• New waste services contracts executed
• Glass recycling service approach investigated in preparation for mandatory Recycling Victoria scheme
• Opportunities to introduce more reusable containers and food waste recycling in an activity centre investigated
• Material gap analysis for item reuse and recovery from hard waste stream, and limited household disposal options

We have executed all new waste service contracts with no disruption to our community. Work is underway to establish new waste and circular economy initiatives, supported by committees focused on continuous improvement.

We will focus on the following priorities in support of this objective:

• adopt and promote principles of environmental stewardship
  and Caring for Country
• enhance community awareness, education and participation in local environmental action, environmental stewardship and Caring for Country

• Increase Council led Community Caring for Country, biodiversity and conservation events

• We delivered three working bees with the
  Friends of Elster Creek Trail Volunteer Group. These sessions supported local conservation efforts and strengthened community involvement in biodiversity.
  

• Partnership agreements explored and signed where agreed with First Nations organisations to deliver biodiversity initiatives
• Advice from Traditional Owners incorporated into biodiversity management operations

• Glen Eira advocacy priorities incorporate
• Caring for Country and First Nations perspectives
• Promotion of First Nations organisations and initiatives through Council networks

We joined the inaugural Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung Country Local Government Group meeting in December 2025, contributing to early discussions on collaboration and how to strengthen Wurundjeri perspectives in local government work.

We are promoting the group across our networks to involve all 19 councils on Wurundjeri land. We continue sharing First Nations priorities through networks, such as Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, by outlining our engagement with Traditional Owners for the Climate Emergency Response Strategy 2025–2029 and highlighting First Peoples’ climate initiatives.

• Communications and engagement activities conducted that incorporate Caring for Country practices

Caring for Country principles were included in our climate engagement work, including our Sustainability Champions program completed in December 2026. We are now developing new project and engagement proposals to strengthen community connection to nature and encourage action to protect biodiversity and care for Country. These proposals will be shared with Traditional Owners for guidance and collaboration.