2. Climate actions in our Community / 2.3. Climate partnerships /

39Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC)

Progress

On time

Not started
Planning
Implementation
Continuous

OBJECTIVE
Seek technical advice from local community experts on environmental sustainability matters relating to Indigo Shire.
IMPACT
Medium

The role of the Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) is:

'To provide advice to Council on the development of Council policy as it relates to environmental and sustainability matters'.

The IEAC was established on 10 November 2008, with the initial focus of supporting the development of Council's Environment Strategy.

The committee was formally endorsed by Council in 2010, established under Section 86 of the Local Government Act, 1989.

The IEAC plays an integral role in the development of many of our key policies and plans relating to environment and sustainability.

The committee's objectives are:

To provide a recognised forum that Council and community can refer environmental concerns for further consideration.
To provide recommendations to Council about the means to encourage and support increased community awareness and understanding of environmental and sustainability matters.
To provide advice on the implementation and ongoing review of the Environment Strategy/
To provide advice on the review or development of other environmental Council plans.
To provide recommendations to Council, as necessary, to ensure environmental programs, both internally and externally funded, are consistent with priorities identified in the Environment Strategy.
To provide advocacy for Council’s environmental portfolio within other forums and within the community.
To provide input on special projects where directed by Council.

Current IEAC members:

Cr Emmerick Teissl (Chair), Cr Roberta Horne, Tim Smith (Deputy Chair), Jane Roots, Chelsea Cherry, Rik Thwaites, Philippa Noble, Helen Robinson, Nicki Munro, Jan Milhinch and Tom Colcott. Cr Diane Shepheard is an observer.

Council Officers Ian Ellett (Director Infrastructure Services), Sam Niedra (Coordinator Environment & Sustainability) and Isla Fitridge (Climate Change & Environment Officer), support the running of the IEAC.

Past IEAC members:

Barney Foran (2009-13), Jan Palmer (2009-11), Bernadette Cudars (2009-12), Matthew Charles-Jones (2009-13), Graeme Missen (2009-15), Jenny Indian (2009-12), Pheona Anderson (2009-12), Greg Smith (2009-12), Charlie Robinson (2009-13), Jenny Davidson (2009-13), Joy Phillips (2009-10), Wendy Hutchinson (2009-13), Sarie Los (2009-12), Linda Huzzey (2010-13), John Bevacqua (2010-11), Robert Uebergang (2010-12) Karen Jones (2010-11), Maureen Rogers (2012), Chelsea Cherry (2012-23), Robin McLeish (2012-15), Klaus Baumgartel (2012-13), Jenny Pena (2012-14), Luc Plowman (2012-15), Phil Browne (2012-17), Peter Leppert (2013-22), Dirk deZwart (2013-16), Ian Burns (2013), Charles Showers (2013-15), Sue Berwick (2014-23), Peter Kenyon (2015-16, 2019-23), Andrew Habets (2016-17), Jill Jarvis-Wills (2016-17), Adam Green (2016-17), Joanne Miller (2017), Jill Croome (2017), Cecile Lagrand (2018-19), Penny Everingham (2018-21), Craig Hart (2018-20), Peter Kenyon (2015-23), Sue Berwick (2014-2023), Peter Anfruns (2018-2023).

Tasks

What are we doing?

31/12/2035
Bi-monthly IEAC meetings
The IEAC meets every two months, as per the IEAC Terms of Reference (TOR).
A key Agenda item is to discuss progress on the IEAC Work Plan, which is a 3 year plan aligned with the Council Plan.
It is also an opportunity for Council to update IEAC members (via a Council Officer Report) on environment and sustainability matters being progressed.

What has been done?

01/08/2024
IEAC input into Council's Climate Change Policy 2024
In July 2024, we invited community members to review and make submissions on our draft Climate Change Policy 2024.
The draft policy articulates Indigo Shire Council’s position on and response to climate change and has been updated in consultation with Council staff and the Indigo Environment Advisory Committee.
The draft policy is a refresh of the current policy which was adopted in 2019.
While the essential elements of the policy have not changed from 2019 to 2024, the wording has been tightened to better reflect Council’s current position and progress, including Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration (2019) and Emissions Reduction Plan (2021).
14/03/2023
Council briefing - IEAC's recommended '5 pledges' to the Cities Power Partnership (CPP)
The Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) presented to Council briefing their recommended '5 pledges' to the Cities Power Partnership (CPP). Four of the five pledges were later adopted by Council, the only IEAC recommended pledge not being adopted being: 'Create a green revolving energy fund to finance energy efficiency projects’.
07/03/2023
Council briefing - IEAC's recommendation to cease roadside firewood collection on Council roadsides.
The Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) presented to Council briefing its recommendation ‘That Council prohibit the collection of firewood from all Council roadsides starting 1 May 2023’.
04/10/2021
Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting - IEAC recommendation that Council adopts a Conservation Covenant rebate payment scheme.
The Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) presented to Council's Executive Management Team (EMT) their recommendation that Council adopt a conservation covenant rebate payment scheme to recognise private landholders who have Conservation Covenants, and encourage future uptake of in-perpetuity conservation agreements across the municipality.
31/03/2021
IEAC input into the Council Plan (2021-25)
The Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) had important engagement with and contribution to Indigo's Council Plan (2021-25).
Subsequently, climate change and environmental sustainability featured strongly throughout the document.
This includes 'Environment' being one of the 5 key themes of the Plan, and the 10-year Community Vision being summarised as:
By 2031, Indigo Shire will be home to many thriving communities that are healthy in every way through sustainable growth, environmental sustainability and climate action, liveability and services, connection, and wellbeing across every age group and life stage.
01/12/2014
Sustainability Awards (2010-14)
Indigo Shire Council's Sustainability Awards were established as an integral part of our Environment Strategy, adopted in 2009, and ran for 5 years from 2010 to 2014. The aim of the awards was to recognise, promote and encourage achievements in environmental sustainability throughout Indigo Shire. Indigo Shire businesses, community groups, schools, and individuals were eligible to apply.
Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) members (via a Working Group) played a significant role in delivering the Sustainability Awards including evaluating the submissions and helping to promote and run the awards ceremonies.
Award winners
2010 - Wooragee Primary School (Community category), Wangaratta Wonderworms (Agriculture category), Kinagrow (Business category), Charlie Robinson (Highly commended, Valhalla Wines (Highly Commended).
2011 - Brimin Lodge (Agriculture category), 1860 Luxury Accommodation (Business category), Rubens of Beechworth (Highly commended), Yackandandah & District Historical Society (Community category), Yackandandah Primary School (Education category), Simone Engdahl (Highly commended).
2012 - Wooragee Primary School (Education category), IKOLEJI– the Healthy Home Shop (Business category), Ecoportal (Community category), Charlie Showers & Jade Miles (Built Environment category), Yackandandah Folk Festival (Highly commended), Lee-Anne Benson and Tim Evans - Medley Farm, Yackandandah (Highly commended).
2013 - Yackandandah Organics (Overall winner), Swaraj Harvest (Overall winner), Rutherglen IGA (Highly commended), Donna Page (Highly commended).
2014 - St Joseph’s Primary School Beechworth (Overall winner), Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability (BULS) ‘Patch to Patch Pedal’ (Highly commended), Owen Gemmell (Highly commended).
The commissioned Awards Trophy was designed by artist Ali Rowe of Yackandandah.
31/10/2013
A Good Life - A guide to living lightly (2013)
Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) members provided invaluable support to Council in the researching, drafting and production of A good life - A guide to living lightly.
31/07/2013
Solar Panels: A Guide to Installing Solar Electricity
Solar Panels - A guide to installing solar electricity was produced by Council to provide Indigo Shire residents with an understanding of the process of installing solar to generate electricity.
Members of the Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) played a key role in assisting Council to create the booklet, investing many volunteer hours and expertise to design, draft and edit the document.
30/11/2012
Better Build Toolkit guides
During 2011 and 2012, Council produced the following 'Better Building Toolkit' guides:
New Home Guide (Oct 2011)
Home Renovation Guide (Oct 2011)
Commercial & Community Guide (Nov 2012)
The concept for the toolkit was identified as a priority action within Indigo Shire Council’s Environment Strategy (2009). Each guide is intended to encourage innovation and excellence above existing industry standards when developing within our communities.
Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) members - via the Energy & Greenhouse Strategy Group - played a key role in assisting Council to create the documents, investing many volunteer hours and expertise to design, draft and edit the documents.
31/05/2011
Background Paper_Indigo Shire’s Transition to Renewable Electricity and Self Sufficiency
Indigo Envionment Advisory Committee (IEAC) members - via the Energy and Greenhouse Working Group - developed this background paper to inform the creation of Council's Greenhouse Strategy.
Indigo Shire’s Transition to Renewable Electricity and Self Sufficiency_Background Paper_Indigo Environment Advisory Committee_May 2011
31/12/2009
Indigo Shire Council Environment Strategy
Having formed in late 2008, one of the first functions of the Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) was to provide advice and act as a key stakeholder group for the development of Council's first Environment Strategy.
04/05/2009
Background Paper - Improving Greenhouse Accounting Protocols
Improving Greenhouse Accounting Protocols_Background Paper_Barney Foran_Indigo Environment Advisory Committee_May 2009
Indigo Environment Advisory Committee (IEAC) member Barney Foran developed this background paper on carbon accounting to support the development of Council's Greenhouse Action Plan. The paper introduced and explained concepts previously unfamiliar to Council, including the three emission scopes (Scope 1,2,3).
10/11/2008
IEAC established
First meeting convened.