Minutes
DERG Meeting
Northcote Town Hall, Room 2B, First Floor
Wednesday 8 June 2016, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Present:, David Redfearn, Caroline Gonzalez, Meg Montague, Steffan Howe, Vickie Zhang, Scott Warren, Kim Le Cerf, Cr Trent
McCarthy, Libby Hynes, Anna Haygreen, Melanie Del Monaco, Julie O'Brien, Natalie Funtera
Apologies: Cr Steven Tsitas, Toni Meek, Simon Batterbury Madeleine Brennan.
Chair: Cr McCarthy
Item
Minute taker: Anna Haygreen
Discussion
Action
1. Welcome
2. Assembly of Councillors
No disclosures were made
3. Presentation on Car Share
and Car Ownership
MDM presented on car ownership trends in Darebin; the benefits
of car sharing; Council’s 2015 Car Share Policy and actions to
encourage car sharing. Car share is one strategy Council is using
to help reduce car ownership and parking demand, and improve
sustainability and liveability. Currently there are 2 car share
providers (Go get and Flexicar) with a third provider possibly
starting in Darebin this year. There are 11 dedicated bays, 10
pending dedicated bays and 5 ‘floating’ bays being trialled.
There was discussion on how Council could support expansion of
the car share network into the north of Darebin. There was also
interest in more partnerships between developers and car share
Action: AH to provide Melanie’s
contact details to the group in
case they have any further
feedback or ideas on car share.
Action: AH to circulate the 2015
public Council report on car
share.
operators so that car share bays are available in more new
developments.
The group expressed concern about the current consultation
process and the risk of a vocal minority of neighbours blocking the
installation of new car share bays.
There was a suggestion that Council be proactive in introducing
car share bays by identifying locations, and then inviting proposals
from providers.
La Trobe University is about to introduce 30-40 car share vehicles
on Bundoora campus which will be used as a staff fleet but also
available to the public.
There was a request for Council to set targets for levels of car
ownership.
4. Matters arising from
minutes
a. Spring into Compost Program
The sales of compost products through Council’s Spring into
Compost program have been falling in recent years. This program
is being reviewed and other composting initiatives are being
considered including a greater education and training
component. Council will continue to provide compost options for
residents given the significant number of queries received.
It was suggested that a barrier to residents purchasing worm farms
may be that they need to get the worms elsewhere.
b. Refrigerator no interest loan schemes
There was further discussion about no interest loan schemes and
how can Council provide no interest finance options for energy
efficient fridges, in a similar way to the Solar Savers Program. AH
reported that there are currently 4 organisations in Darebin that
offer no interest loans through the Good Shepherd scheme. The
group discussed how many people are accessing the loans for
fridges in Darebin and whether energy efficiency is being
considered.
c. Aurora Waste to Energy Tour
LH reported that the project manager from Aurora Waste offered
to present at a DERG meeting since they cannot offer a tour of the
facility at the moment. There was strong preference in the room to
do a tour of the facility rather than a presentation only.
5. Fossil Fuel Divestment
Strategy
A report is going to Council with a Fossil Fuel Divestment Strategy.
Council is concerned about this issue and recently wrote to Vision
Super, the industry fund for local government, requesting they
share with Council what plans they have in place for divestment
from fossil fuel companies and infrastructure and what steps Vision
Super is taking to manage climate risk for its members. Vision Super
has responded indicating they are looking to introduce a fossil fuel
free investment option.
There was discussion about the current State Government policy
requiring local governments to have particular percentage of their
funds in triple A rated banks. These banks are often investing in
fossil fuels. Council is working with the Northern Alliance for
Greenhouse Action to encourage the Victorian Government to
change its position on this so that Councils can choose how their
Action: AH will find out how many
fridges are being distributed
through the scheme and further
investigate what Council can do
to improve energy efficiency of
fridges for low income
households.
Action: LH to find out if the group
can get a tour of the facility at a
later stage.
funds are invested. The MAV is also advocating on this.
A report is also going to Council regarding a broader ethical
investment strategy that looks at a wide range of social, ethical
and environmental issues beyond fossil fuels. The group supported
this move.
La Trobe University recently announced they will fully divest from all
companies with fossil fuel investments. The group congratulated La
Trobe on this achievement.
6. Nightingale 2.0
The Nightingale 2.0 development was approved by Council on 23
May. This development is a strong model for sustainable living with
a range of environmental features, no car parking and car share
bays. The group supports Councils approval as Nightingale 2.0 sets
a strong example of an environmentally sustainable development.
Action: LH to draft a letter of
congratulations to Council for
approving Nightingale 2.0.
7. Council Budget process
There was discussion about the process for adoption of the 2016-17
Council budget and opportunities for the public to have input.
There were 16 submissions, including the DERG submission, which
will be heard by Council on 10 June. After considering submissions
the final budget is expected to be adopted by Council on 23
June.
8.1 Council Minutes Table of
Contents
There was discussion about various items discussed at Council
meetings in April and May including the potential use of the former
Reservoir Library and management of the mob of kangaroos living
in Bundoora. There were queries about progress on the Melbourne
Water M40 project. This project has been delayed and community
consultation is imminent.
8.2 Project updates
There was discussion on current environmental projects including
street lighting upgrades and the Climate Change Review. It was
suggested that there are other ways of presenting the energy
savings resulting from the street lighting upgrade so that they are
more impactful. An example given was that these savings are
equivalent to all the lights in Darebin being switched off for a
whole year. There was a query regarding the Energy Efficiency
Program costs listed in the project updates and whether these
were for the life of the project or just one year.
Upcoming events were noted and group members were invited to
attend both the Darebin Climate Forum on 15 June and the
Graduation for Community Leaders in Sustainability Course on 16
June.
9. Other Business
It was noted that the Merri Creek exhibition held at Darebin
Libraries was a success and the group wanted to pass on thanks to
the libraries staff who organized it for their great work.
The group discussed the Draft Tourism Strategy and it was noted
that they were disappointed that the environmental features in
Darebin were not showcased. It was felt that this is a missed
opportunity to highlight some of the unique environmental
features in Darebin such as the Darebin parklands, creek corridors
and cycling facilities.
Date of next meeting
The next DERG meeting will be on 3 August 2016 at the Preston
Council Offices.
Action: AH to provide feedback
from the group regarding the
Draft Tourism Strategy to the
Economic Development Team.