A Sustainable Regional Victoria
Victoria's regions support valuable natural resources and landscapes that are important for maintaining the country way of life and character and amenity in towns and communities - the Government focuses on getting the balance right between development and the management and protection of the natural environment.
Securing Victoria's natural future
In the long-term plan Securing Our Natural Future - White Paper for land and biodiversity at a time of climate change (released in December 2009), the Government is focusing on three key areas: building the resilience of ecosystems across Victoria; managing and protecting 'flagship' areas to maintain vital ecosystem services; and improving regional scale connections and corridors in areas identified as 'biolinks'.
The Victorian Local Sustainability Accord - a partnership between the Victorian Government, peak local government associations and local councils - also continues to play a leading role in improving environmental sustainability at the local level.
To view details on the Securing Our Natural Future - White Paper for land and biodiversity at a time of climate change please visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment
Responding to climate change
New actions being taken through the Victorian Climate Change White Paper will help to improve the sustainability and water and energy efficiency of urban developments in regional centres, as well as supporting communities to develop their own solutions to managing the impacts of climate change.
The Government is also working with regional communities, businesses and local councils to promote innovative energy and water initiatives; identify regions with the greatest potential for renewable and low emissions energy projects; and leverage opportunities from the eventual introduction of a carbon price and the transition to a low carbon economy.
Planning for a sustainable future
The Government has established new Regional Victoria Settlement Principles within Victoria’s Planning System to guide development in regional areas and ensure that settlements are well-planned, retain their character and are environmentally sustainable.
Actions being taken to protect the state's fragile coastal and marine ecosystems include creating Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries; a new Victorian Coastal Strategy; and the Future Coasts program, which is mapping Victoria's coastline comprehensively to help protect coastal communities, infrastructure and habitats.
Planning initiatives will also aim to protecting the assets needed to expand nature-based and Indigenous tourism, and renewable and low emissions energy generation. Future development will be promoted in regional centres and towns that can accommodate further growth, and in locations with good access to services, jobs and transport connections.
The Government is also implementing a Statewide Sustainability Framework, which will be used by regional communities to think about, identify and plan for future climate change and meet challenges and opportunities.
The Government is placing a much greater emphasis on getting the balance right between uses of land across regional Victoria and on supporting communities to manage impacts of growth and climate change sustainably, and retain local character and amenity.
For more information please visit Victoria's Climate Change website
Maximising opportunities in energy and water
As the world shifts to a low carbon future, Victoria's energy sector faces a major transformation. Over the longer term, a major step-up will be needed in investment in renewable and low emissions energy technologies. For example, while local coal plants may close the Latrobe Valley, new opportunities may emerge in clean coal technologies.
Some regional cities and towns will generate their own power from renewable sources, while others may secure new opportunities from supplying other regions with energy.
The expansion of Victoria’s water grid will continue over the coming decades and is likely to include more investment in water recycling, further upgrades to irrigation infrastructure and new pipelines.
Victorians will adopt more efficient practices and products in our households and businesses, and invest in activities such as water recycling, storm water collection and energy- and water-efficient building design.
These changes have the potential to generate business and jobs growth and research and development in many regional areas.
The Government is actively supporting regional communities to attract new investment and jobs from the ongoing transformation of the energy and water sectors. The Government will work with regional communities, businesses and local councils to promote innovative energy and water initiatives, and identify regions with the greatest potential for renewable and low emissions energy projects.
For more information please visit www.water.vic.gov.au
