State of the environment

Birds flying above trees at dusk

Our state of the environment (SOE) report is an annual glimpse into what we deliver to keep our natural environment healthy, green and maintained.

The work included in this report has been undertaken in 2022-2023 and is guided by the strategic objectives outlined in our Council Plan 2021-2025.

The natural environment is one of our top priorities, and this report is a transparent overview of what we do in this space.

We in Banyule are a thriving, sustainable, inclusive and connected community. We are engaged, we belong and we value and protect our environment. —Community Vision 2041

Read our Statement of the Environment Report

Indicators at a glance

Event 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 Comments
Total annual corporate GHG emissions (Scope 3) 1,714 1,682 1,989 Scope 3 emissions rose due to increased energy consumption through goods and services.
Total annual corporate GHG emissions (scope 1 & 2) 11,307 4,676 4,324 A minor reduction was achieved through energy efficiency and phasing out of gas at several small community facilities.
Total renewable energy capacity (MW) 1.3 1.5 1.7 Several new solar installations took place, which increased overall capacity.
Friends of volunteer hours in bushland reserves 746 416 890 Community volunteer hours rose above levels experienced through COVID.
Indigenous Species planted in bushland reserves 11,500 13,994 8,398 Planting numbers still down on pre-COVID numbers, largely due to a focus on hand-weeding and investing in the care of previously planted species.
Buy 1 Get 1 free indigenous plant voucher's redeemed 117 990 908 Continued high uptake of the program and some responses received from past participants on success from plants acquired.
Banyule Council Water use (ML) 197 227 242 A minor increase was experienced due to demand for irrigation to establish new warm season grasses on sports fields.
Litter collection (Tonne) 77.5 68.5 35 Slight reduction due to focus on training around new safety protocols.
Silt collection (Tonne) 280 1300 460 Exceeded the target through collection at sediment ponds at Redmond Court Wetland Bundoora and Remembrance Park Heidelberg.
Landfill waste per household (kg) 456 435 329 Expected reduction achieved after introduction of FOGO.
Recyclables per household (kg) 233 223 200 A slight decrease observed, though generally remained steady.
Organic waste per household (kg) 232 215 315 The expected rise due to introduction of FOGO has been achieved in 2022/23.
Diverted from landfill - total (%) 50.5 52.03 63 Expected increase due to introduction of FOGO has been achieved in 2022/23.
Students at the Rethink Centre 902 0 0 Temporarily closed due to pending building works.
Environment Grant applications 37 18 17 Applications were consistent with the prior year, with several worthy projects awarded grant funding.
Home Energy Audits / Better Score Program participants 30 41 53 Allocation was expanded for 2022/23, with additional budget allocation.
Council tree plantings in streets and parks 3,150 4,416 1,627 Above average rainfall in the year prior resulted in some tree planting being brought forward.
Net gain of trees per year (public land) 1,350 2,383 455 Lower net gain 2022-23 is due to reduced planting numbers with significant planting occurring in 2021-22.