Sustainability and environment

Stonnington is advocating for measures that will support us to use sustainable practices and protect the environment.

Our vision

Stonnington Tomorrow is our Council Plan for 2025 to 2029. It outlines our vision to take climate action, protect biodiversity and pursue eco-friendly living. We will be adaptable to climate change, water sensitive and flood ready.

Stonnington declared a climate emergency on 17 February 2020. We are working to integrate sustainability into our services and operations. To achieve our target of zero emissions by 2030, we need to:

  • prioritise active transport, renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings
  • invest in green infrastructure
  • expand tree canopy
  • design public places that cool our neighbourhoods and support biodiversity
  • protect and restore ecosystems
  • improve water management
  • reduce resource use across Council operations.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals guides our approach.

Read our Sustainability and environment fact sheet(PDF, 366KB).

The need for partnership

Stonnington faces health and wellbeing risks around extreme heat, air pollution and climate change impacts. We have a critical role in reducing emissions, building resilience and supporting communities to adapt. However, private enterprise and all levels of government have a role to play.

Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy

This advocacy priority aligns with the following recommendations in Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy 2025-2055:

  • Recommendations 25-35 – Victoria has a thriving natural environment, and Victoria is resilient to climate change and other future risks

Policy asks

Authorisation of ESD planning amendment

In July 2022, the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) and 24 Victorian councils (including Stonnington), lodged a request to the Minister for Planning. It requested authorisation to exhibit planning provisions that elevate existing Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) requirements for new buildings and alterations.

Amendments are still awaiting authorisation from the Minister for Planning.

Cancel mandatory glass recycling bin, expand Container Deposit Scheme

There is no transparent, State Government business case showing a net benefit from a standalone glass-only recycling service. The State’s Container Deposit Scheme collected one billion containers in its first year and reduced mixed recyclables by about 10 per cent.

Expanding the Container Deposit Scheme through more drop-off points and continued community education will deliver cleaner glass at a lower cost.

Planning controls

We ask the State Government to restore councils’ ability to use planning controls to enact Environmentally Sustainable Development and Water Sensitive Urban Design outcomes in the private realm.

Planning scheme changes have limited our ability to require or negotiate sustainability outcomes such as: 

  •  enhanced stormwater management
  • permeable surfaces
  • on-site water harvesting
  • landscaping.

Key projects

Council has a number of projects ready for delivery if we secure funding from external partners.

Project Funding About the project
Electrification $100,000
  • Designs for domestic hot water and hot water electrification at TH King Pavilion
  • Complete domestic hot water electrification at TH King Pavilion
Electrification $100,000

Designs for domestic hot water and hot water electrification at Toorak South Yarra Library
Electrification $8 million

Electrify Harold Holt Pool
Electrification $4 million

Electrify Prahran Aquatics Centre
Electrification $450,000

Battery for Phoenix Park Community Centre
KooyongKoot master plan

Gardiners Creek: $2.5 million

Tooronga Wetlands: $5 million 
  • Stage 3, the Gardiners Creek Shared User Path upgrade, to widen the path and facilitate active and passive recreation as well as biodiversity outcomes.
  • Tooronga Wetlands – a new wetland to treat stormwater, upgrades to the Shared User Path, and active and passive recreation facilities within a biodiverse habitat.
Solar panels for Prahran Town Hall and Prahran Market

Town Hall: $150,000

Market: $200,000

 Install solar panels to deliver on Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan and roadmap to zero corporate emissions.

More information

For more information, please visit our Advocacy page.

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