Environment

Banyule comprises a range of intrinsically valuable natural and built features. The open space provisions such as bushland, riparian areas and parklands support a diversity of plants and wildlife such as the threatened Eltham Copper Butterfly, while residential areas provide key corridors and habitat for wildlife. The protection and management of these resources is of the utmost interest to Council.

Banyule also aims to manage and develop its built features through maximising efficiency, emission reduction projects and improving community awareness.  Council publishes a number of these results via annual reports and website updates, which are available to the community to provide transparency and opportunities for open comment.

Council's Environment Planning team is an energetic, committed and enthused group aiming to deliver high quality services, whilst maintaining healthy relationships between the community and the environment, in the ongoing process of achieving environmental sustainability.

The Wildlife Corridor Program, Sustainable Home Program, ReThink Centre, Waterwatch and Climate Change Programs are examples of the many projects currently being undertaken here at Banyule. For further details about current projects, other council activities and how you can become involved, navigate via the menu tabs to the left of the page. 

Online Sustainbility Resources

There are a number of online sustainability resources available for resdients and developers.  Please click here to download a listing of resources.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

Rakali - Australia's Otter

Recently  Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy gave a talk on Rakali at the Darebin Parklands.  Here are some of the interesting points from that talk:

 

  • Can live in fresh and salt water
  •  Have slight webbing on their feet
  • They live for 3-4 years on average
  • They are highly intelligent and good climbers
  • They are very otter like with their sleek appearance (due to waterproof fur)
  • Spotting characteristic is the white tipped furry tail
  • Can co-exist with platypus 
  • They have a wide ranging diet including waterbugs, frogs, birds, bats, and fish including carp
  • Threats include illegal yabby nets foxes, cats, loss of habitat, loss of environmental flows.

The Darebin Creek has the highest population of Rakali recorded in Melbourne.

For more information: http://www.platypus.asn.au/ 
 

Environmental Register

If you would like to receive information about Banyule's sustainability programs, events, products and professional services simply provide us with your details and we will include you on our Environmental Register.

Click here to fill out the Environmental Register Subscription form. 

Food Growers Group

If you want to start your own community food growers group the Sustainable Gardening Australia website is a great place to start.  Visit the forum section for Neighbourhood Gardening Groups and post your location or look for others who have already posted.  While you’re there check out the Yummy Yards page for great seasonal tips on produce gardening. 

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/index.html

Platypus Talks

Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy is speaking about platypus in late May. Geoff is familiar with platypus sightings in Banyule so anyone interested in these iconic animals may be interested in attending to find out more about how they fare in urban areas.

Tuesday 29 May 8.00pm
Darebin Parklands Office, end of Separation Street, Alphington
(Presented by Darebin Parklands Association www.dpa.org.au )

Wednesday 30 May 6.30pm
Carlton Library, 667 Rathdowne Street, North Carlton
(Presented by Merri Creek Management Committee Waterwatch.  Bookings: jane@mcmc.org.au or 9380 8199)