A New Sustainable Future For Our City of Sydney

 

In a rapidly changing world, the City of Sydney Council risks falling behind in the race to address dangerous climate change, which is why Labor has committed to a bold new emissions reduction target of zero emissions by 2030 if elected to the City of Sydney in September’s elections.

 

Newcastle, a city historically based on the coal economy, beat the City of Sydney to being fully powered by renewable energy. This is not good enough.

 

Sydney communities need and expect the City of Sydney to commit to more ambitious targets, and we will deliver this.

 

City of Sydney Labor’s Key Environmental Policy will include:

  • Delivering Net zero emissions by 2030

  • Increasing tree canopy to 25% by 2030, focused on south Sydney communities

  • Increasing green space to 50% by 2050

  • Increasing environmental grants to $10 million 

  • Rapid transition of entire Council fleet to electric vehicles by 2025, and facilitating electric vehicle charging stations on public land to support residents and businesses to transition

  • Installation on solar panels on all council owned buildings and remove red tape to allow residents to increase solar uptake.

 

City of Sydney Labor is committed to ensuring the City of Sydney is the leader in climate change and environmental policy, delivering zero emissions by 2030 – five years faster the current City targets

 

Labor has a vision for a greener City. Under our Plan, a quarter of the City will be covered by tree canopy by 2030, with a focus on delivering canopy cover on public land in south Sydney where tree canopy isis  most needed.  

 

Environmental grants will be increased to $10M until 2025, to incentivise real local action on climate change.  

 

Energy efficient buildings will encouraged to disclose their existing energy ratings in their buildings - so potential renters will understand the energy costs of the building before signing up. Solar panels will be installed on all City buildings and City home owners will be incentivized and encouraged to do the same even in heritage conservation areas.  

 

Climate change is a real problem requiring strong leadership and solutions. Sydney Labor will deliver both, creating a truly global and sustainable City of Sydney.

 

Zero Emissions by 2030

 City of Sydney Labor will deliver zero emissions five years earlier than current City of Sydney target of 2035.

 

A Greener City

  • Reboot and fund the Urban Forest Initiative to commit to ambitious targets to increase tree canopy cover to 25% by 2030, focusing on the suburbs with less than 15% canopy cover, particularly in South Sydney.

  • Deliver more open space - increase open space to 20% of the Local Government Area

  • Overhaul environmental grants program through a new $10 million grants program through to 2025 to encourage local community and environmental groups to help restore, regenerate, and rehabilitate the local environment. 

 

 Neighbourhood and Business Partnerships

  • Trial the establishment of Business Improvement Districts, exploring options that have been successful in delivering innovation to combat climate change in other global cities.. 

 

Electric vehicles 

  • Deliver a rapid transition of the City’s entire council fleet to electric vehicles by 2025

  • Increase EV charging infrastructure in car share spaces and key public locations. 

 

Greener buildings

  • Planning policies to deliver net zero energy buildings - City of Sydney Labor will encourage and incentivize owners to create green and more energy-efficient buildings

  • Encourage owners to disclose the energy rating of buildings to potential tenants 

 

Solar Panels 

  • Install solar panels on all City-owned buildings

  • Review current regulation and planning controls to facilitate the installation of solar panels on heritage-listed buildings and in heritage conservation areas 

  • Explore options for community batteries

 

Reducing waste

  • Reduce household waste through targeted education programs with the aim to divert  residential waste from landfill

  • Expand trials of Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) waste collection

  • Install recycling bins in public parks and streets

  • Increase procurement of recycled goods

  • Partner with neighbouring councils to educate communities and reduce waste in the greater Sydney area.

 

Community Involvement: 

  • Expand community gardens

  • Expand community composting initiatives

  • Expand support for Landcare and community movements

  • Explore options for incentives for water harvesting

 

 
Linda Scott