Council Officers recently completed a review of Council’s e-restore program. The full report which is quite detailed but interesting can be accessed as Item 18.6 here on the Council website.

The e-restore program commenced in 2004 when an environmental levy was first raised to fund projects to improve the local environment.

In this latest report, Council Officers are recommending that Council:

1. Endorse the development of a revised Environmental/Sustainability Plan that includes a focus on the following elements:

a. Improving transparency and value for money in relation to the following budget allocations:

i. Internal Overhead – $327,000 in the 2014/15 Budget

ii. e.restore Planning and Reporting – $200,000 in the 2014/15 Budget iii. Environmental Vehicle Initiative – $100,000 in the 2014/15 Budget

b. The development of a more comprehensive organisation wide plan:

i. Including Measurable 4 Year Targets and Performance Indicators – to align with Council terms

ii. With aspirational 10-20 Year Targets and Performance Indicators

iii. For both Council and the wider community incorporating Projects and Actions, specifically linked to Targets and KPI‟s in relation to elements such as:

 Greenhouse gas production

 Energy consumption

 Water use  Recycled water use

 Waste production  Recycling and re-use of materials

 Water quality  Biodiversity

 Tree canopy cover

 Community engagement

 Community participation

 Community interaction

 Community capacity building

c. Engaging the wider community and other stakeholders in the development of the revised Environmental/Sustainability Plan (in accordance with Council‟s Community Engagement Policy) to secure broad community participation and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnering

d. Completing a formal review of the e.restore program every four years in line with the Community Strategic Plan

e. Ensuring that all e.restore funds are allocated on a Value for Money Basis and that all aspects of the e.restore program are assessed via the Projects and Capital Works Prioritisation Framework

f. Submitting regular reports to Council outlining progress towards annual and longer term programs, targets and performance indicators.

2. Include a section in future Environmental/Sustainability Plan Annual Report that covers:

a. successes,

b. lessons learnt; and

c. improvements made.