Environmental Management

Environmental Management Plan

The Environmental Management Plan was developed through community consultation to provide both a holistic and integrated approach to the management of the Shire's natural and built environment. The plan identifies issues and problems that receive or need Council attention.

The Plan includes global, regional and local environmental and sustainability issues and is used for future planning.

As part of global considerations Council has joined the Cities for Climate Protection Program which encourages local government to take a lead role in the reduction of greenhouse gases emission.

Environmental Management Plan - 1,587 KB

2007/2008 State of the Environment Report (4.32MB)

Industry and Commercial Environmental Management

The Hills Shire contains a wide variety of industry types ranging from industries such as mechanical workshops/smash repairs and warehousing to agricultural based industries such as nurseries and market gardens. Each industry type has specific environmental issues that need to be addressed.

In NSW the environmental impacts for most activities are regulated by either the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change or Councils through the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997.

Councils have a responsibility as a regulatory authority in regards to the environment and, as such, are working with industry to improve work practices and facilities to prevent environmental harm.

Business Sustainability

Council is currently delivering a program to local businesses, to work in partnership with them to improve their sustainability performance. This program is entitled 'A Sustainable World in the Hills' and more details on this program can be found here.

Agricultural Based Industry

Agricultural industry is scattered throughout much of the Shire's rural land, however with urban expansion, it is gradually shrinking to the northern areas of the Shire.

Council completed a project with the EPA and Warringah Council which involved reviewing the environmental practices of wholesale and production nurseries. It involved site inspections throughout the Shire and, for most sites, works were required to improve the environmental performance of the business. The process is undertaken in an educational, rather than regulatory manner, working with the operators to reduce any environmental impacts. Following the success of this project Council will be examining other agricultural industries such as market gardens, retail nurseries and landscape suppliers.

Industrial/Commercial Activities

There are five main industrial areas within the Shire located at Castle Hill, Northmead, North Rocks, Rouse Hill and Winston Hills. They range in size, the largest at Castle Hill contains approximately 850 premises to Winston Hills which contains 10 premises. In addition, the industrial zone at Rouse Hill is relatively undeveloped at this time but is likely to provide for industry growth in the future. All of these areas are zoned for light industry and there are no areas within the Shire zoned for heavy industry.

Council currently has an environmental auditing program operating which involves inspections of all of the industrial premises within the Shire. A wide variety of issues are considered relating to air, land, noise and water pollution or the potential for such pollution. For example, at premises such as mechanical workshops things such as the storage of new and used oils and liquids, parts degreasing, waste disposal, spill equipment etc. would be examined.

The program is done in an educational, rather than regulatory manner and aims to improve work practices and the facilities of industry in order to protect the environment.

Council has also produced an environmental information sheet for businesses which are just starting or are moving into new premises. For a copy of this sheet contact Council on 9843 0424.

Council's Own Activities

Council is making efforts to improve its environmental practices and performance.

Environmental audits of Council's facilities are carried out by trained internal staff and the Department of Environment and Climate Change on a regular basis.

Council also is working hard to reduce its water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, so that our ecological footprint is minimised.

Further information

For further information about Council's inspection program contact Council's Health & Environment Protection section on 9843 0424 or email council-enviro@thehills.nsw.gov.au

Further information and publications about specific industries can be obtained on the Department of Environment and Climate Change's website www.environment.nsw.gov.au