Northern Beaches Council has adopted a community-driven strategy that outlines the most effective ways to protect and enhance our natural environment and take action on climate change over the next two decades and beyond.

At its meeting on Tuesday night this week, Councillors unanimously endorsed the Protect. Create. Live – Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2040, which was on public exhibition until last month.

The detailed responses from numerous local residents indicated strong support for the Strategy, which will be used by Council as a guiding document to protect our environment and improve sustainability on the Northern Beaches.

Some of the key themes the Strategy addresses include:

• Bushland protection
• Action on climate change / climate emergency
• Air quality and greener neighbourhoods
• Waste and single use plastic
• Managing development sustainably
• Improvements to public transport

Mayor Michael Regan said residents were passionate about protecting and enhancing their local environment.

“Our beaches, our bushland and our extensive waterways are what make living on the Northern Beaches so special.

“This Strategy is about making sure we are focused on doing all we can as a Council to ensure the environment is protected and enhanced into the future.

“That can be as simple as installing pollutant traps in our water ways, to investing in electric cars for Council’s fleet or bringing policies that prevent single use plastics at Council events.

“We will also support the community to do their bit, like running campaigns for solar uptake or installing more bike infrastructure.

“There is not one thing but a suite of actions we need to take together that will make a difference and help reduce some of the pressures on our environment now and over the next 20 years.”