Environment

What will Phillip Island look like in 2070?

Could the Rhyll Inlet expand through coastal erosion and rising sea levels to include Silverleaves? Will there be two bridges onto the island? Will people have relocated from lower lying areas to the centre of the island?

Most of us will not be around to see it but our children and grandchildren will. I’m not sure how probable these possibilities are, but it makes sense to do what we can to prevent such things happening.

Bass Coast Shire Council declared a climate emergency in August 2019, to protect the shire from the consequences of climate change.

One area that should be reviewed in light of the climate emergency is planning.

Buildings – from their construction to demolition and disposal/reuse of the materials – contribute a significant amount of carbon emissions. Planning must be considered to increase sustainability.
Europe and the US are moving to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

They are imposing strict environmental requirements on all new buildings and updating existing buildings. They are also focusing upon greening cities and towns by including more plantings around all buildings, including residential, and making more open space.

You may have seen pictures of wildflower meadows planted in cities, green roofs on bus-stops and bee-hotels. There is also an emphasis upon canopy trees to reduce “urban heating” effect in built-up areas.

People are responding positively to these changes because they make places much nicer to live in.

Island Voice believes the upcoming review of the planning scheme must address climate change.

Remember we will all be living with these buildings, and their effect on the environment, for their whole life, so the sooner we take action, the better.

Here are a few ideas to stimulate your thoughts about what could be included in the upcoming review:

  • Requiring electric vehicle charging points and bike storage for new apartments, townhouses, hotels and public spaces and encouraging them in domestic buildings (plus council planning for public transport and bike infrastructure).
  • All new builds to require high levels of insulation in walls, roof and floor (if appropriate), double-glazing, solar power and captured rainwater to use for watering gardens and flushing toilets, particularly in multi-residence developments.
  • Include passive design to maintain a comfortable temperature in buildings without the use of power, such as orientating the building to benefit from northern light, while avoiding summer heat, using natural ventilation and airlock entries and exits to reduce heat loss/gain and using shading via pergolas and deciduous plantings.
  • Encourage the use of natural building materials or those with proven ability to be recycled. This will reduce carbon emissions but also provide healthier living and working spaces.
  • Choose lighter colours for roofs and walls that reflect summer heat better and reduce cooling bills. Similarly other surfaces such as driveways and roads would contribute less to ambient temperature if constructed from lighter coloured gravel or eco-concrete.
  • Positioning the exterior part of split system air conditioners so that hot air is not blown into the neighbouring house, requiring them to use extra energy to keep cool. Also, ensuring there is adequate air flow and shading around units to prevent heat building up next to a fence and reducing the efficiency of the unit, causing more power to be used.
  • Ensure adequate space to plant a significant canopy tree for a nominated roof area of a building.

We would like to see Bass Coast Shire actively encourage more eco-developments ranging from urban style ones similar to Christy Walk in Adelaide and suburban developments like Cape Patterson.

The planning scheme does not only shape how we live now and in the future.

It also affects our environment, which is doubly important for a tourist destination that is dependent upon natural beauty and wildlife.

We are literally planning for the future of our children and grandchildren.

Please use the upcoming planning scheme review and state government Distinctive Areas and Landscape community consultation to tell council what you think this future should look like.