Environment and Sustainability

We will implement urgent, strong, and equitable climate change action to move beyond net zero.

Climate positive is the ambitious and important next step in the effort against climate change. It requires activity that goes beyond achieving net zero emissions to remove carbon from our atmosphere and create environmental benefit.

Climate positive opportunities could include initiatives like expanding Council’s renewable energy production beyond organisational needs, or carbon sequestration through blue (mangroves and wetlands) and green (trees and bushland) infrastructure expansion.
 

We will lead Parramatta towards a resilient and sustainable future.

Cities are complex systems which are subject to many different acute shocks and chronic stresses. The responsibility for managing these challenges goes beyond the jurisdiction of any one government agency or authority. Effective solutions require partnerships and collaboration.

Creating a future ready community requires planning for the long-term, embracing innovation, as well as collective effort.

A resilient city refers to the capacity of individuals, communities, organisations and systems within a city to survive, adapt and thrive no matter what they may experience. Some of Parramatta’s greatest challenges include risks and impacts of urban heat, bushfires, storms and flooding.

We will create a living City defined by healthy waterways and green spaces.

Water is the foundation for all life. Climate change is expected to exacerbate a range of water-related extremes such as flooding, drought, heatwaves, and sea level rise. Water and sewer demand due to population growth is now nearing current infrastructure capacity.

Historically, city planning has removed water from our landscapes as quickly and efficiently as possible. This has changed how our natural waterways operate, reduced the visibility of water to our community and caused our waterway health to suffer.

A blue green Parramatta prioritises planning for integrated water management and providing space for the retention of water in the landscape. This approach involves moving from traditional ‘grey-infrastructure’ towards living-infrastructure solutions and a water sensitive city.

We will safeguard our natural spaces, waterways, and wildlife.

Parramatta is a City in nature, uniquely placed to connect nature and people.

A nature positive approach focuses on how nature can be restored and enhanced alongside human activity.

To embed our natural environment within our built environment will require long term change. Council will advocate for a nature positive approach to planning and designing our City. Supported by innovation and technology, we will plan for local biodiversity values, habitat connections, migration requirements, and ecosystem services.

Being nature positive is also about minimising our impacts on nature through the decisions we make, such as the products we buy or where we invest our money. Transitioning to a nature positive global city empowers Parramatta to pursue improved outcomes for nature, climate, and sustainable development.

We will champion the circular economy and whole-of-waste system transition.

A circular economy is a regenerative approach to economic development that benefits business, society, and the environment. It requires a systemic and cultural shift to reduce the consumption of finite resources and maximise their re-use and recovery.

The transition to a circular economy is urgent. City of Parramatta is the third largest source of waste generation in metropolitan Sydney.

As Parramatta evolves as a global city, embracing a circular economy will be a cornerstone for economic growth, increasing environmental stewardship and promoting the responsible use of resources.