Sustainability policy and research

Waverley Council has taken a leadership position in sustainability at a local level, which has evolved since the organisation’s first Environmental Action Plan in 2008.

Listed below (in date order) are Council’s key statements on sustainability, the research done in the space and the policies that were informed by the research results:

Waverley Beaches Coastal Management Program Stage 1 Scoping Study 2024: A response to the 2021 Eastern Beaches Coastal Management Policy Stage 1 Scoping Study which focusses on actions applicable to Waverley.

Urban Greening and Cooling Strategy 2023: Increasing and protecting green cover (both canopy and ground) on private land, in parks and streets is critical to reduce pollution, cool the area and support wildlife. This strategy outlines the ways Council will manage and enhance urban trees and vegetation.

Electric Vehicle Transportation Policy 2022: Outlines how Council will encourage EV use by providing on-street charging (which is itself powered by renewable energy) and supporting private landholders who wish to install charging stations.

Environmental Action Plan 2022 – 2032: The current version of the EAP, which is the core document that outlines Council’s environmental targets and how to achieve them. Companion strategy documents e.g. the Biodiversity Action Plan, focus on achieving specific targets within the EAP.

Biodiversity Action Plan: Remnant Sites 2022 – 2031: A highly detailed management plan to protect and regenerate the near six hectares of remnant vegetation in Waverley, including the establishment of ‘buffer plantings’ of native species on land adjacent to those areas.

State of the Environment Report 2021: A stocktake on Council’s progress as measured against the previous version of the Environmental Action Plan (2018-2030).

Sustainable Communities Framework 2021: A roadmap for how residents and Council staff will be engaged and included in the delivery of the Environmental Action Plan.

Future Proofing Residential Development to Climate Change 2021: With funding from the NSW Government, this report was commissioned by Waverley, Randwick and Woollahra Councils. The study quantifies how home design needs to change to be climate resilient. The addendum outlines the specific recommendations.

Coastal Risks and Hazards Vulnerability Study 2021: An extensive report detailing the expected impacts of rising sea levels on public and private property, and how it can be mitigated.

Safe Climate Declaration 2020: Council signed this declaration which was drafted as part of the Climate Emergency Summit, committing to faster action in greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Waverley Flora Survey Report 2020: The third of five-yearly detailed studies on the presence of local native plants in bushland remnants and bushland remnant condition assessments.

Eastern Beaches Coastal Management Policy Stage 1 Scoping Study (2020): A combined study for Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick Councils which isolates 13 focus areas for a future Coastal Management Policy.

Thomas Hogan Reserve Ecological Restoration Action Plan 2018: A fifteen-year plan designed to establish a stable and self-sustaining natural eco-system in a highly urbanised area.

State of Climate and Biodiversity Emergency 2019: Councillors unanimously endorsed a motion that called on the Federal Government to introduce a price on carbon emissions and the NSW Government to amend planning laws to be more environmentally centred.

Waverley's People, Movement and Places 2017: Outlines Council’s vision to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, and key road projects which will be undertaken by 2030.

Bronte Gully Ecological Restoration Action Plan 2015-2045: A detailed thirty-year action plan designed to re-establish native plant and animal species in one of the largest natural areas in the Waverley LGA.

Waverley Bike Plan 2013: Developed to increase the number and proportion of trips in Waverley undertaken by bike.

Biodiversity Study of the Waverley Local Government Area 2011: A detailed observation of the fauna found in the region.

Tamarama Park Ecological Restoration Action Plan 2010: A plan of management actions to restore and enhance all vegetated areas in Tamarama Park, including existing areas of remnant vegetation above Tamarama Marine Drive, and beach edges, and to successfully revegetate the weed infested gully at the western end of the gully with indigenous plants.