Hunter’s Hill Council is committed to preserving and maintaining the unique natural environment and heritage of the local area. The many sites are situated amongst quaint residential and productive commercial areas that make this diverse Sydney Harbour peninsula a great place to live.

With the help of the community, the Council takes pride in managing, enhancing and maintaining its areas of bushland and waterways for residents to enjoy. Council is working on programs to increase knowledge and respect for environmental services amongst the community, ensuring they are used in a sustainable manner for our future generations and beyond. Get involved in helping make our environment the best it can be for both our and future generations.

Climate Emergency 

Hunter’s Hill Council adopted the declaration of a climate emergency in association with our actions for climate change. The council has for several decades shown purpose and leadership on sustainability and environmental issues. At the 24^th of February 2020 meeting, the Council declared a climate emergency; acknowledging the recent devastating bushfire season, the ongoing drought and a nationwide call for a greater response to our changing climate.

The declaration of a climate emergency is a vital step in taking this challenge seriously and creating real change. The motion at the meeting is outlined below:

1. That Council acknowledges that we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government; that human-induced climate change represents one of the greatest threats to humanity, civilisation and other species; and that it is still possible to prevent the most catastrophic outcomes if societies and communities, including local councils, take action to reduce our impact on our environment;
2. That Council acknowledges that every community, no matter how small, has a role to play in reducing the impact of climate change on our built and natural environment and ecosystems; and that we work towards adapting our existing policies and practices where necessary to address more efficient water, energy, waste, use as well as anticipate carbon sequestration and urban heat mitigation practices;
3. That Council continues to build on its strategic commitment to sustainability by consideration and implementation of sustainable principles in all future aspects of our operations and service delivery, and by working towards ensuring that such principles are embedded into our long term strategic plans, our LEP, DCP and our quadruple bottom line;
4. That a report be brought back to Council presenting realistic, attainable goals to demonstrate practices that work towards the above principles as soon as practicable;
5. That Council continues to collaborate and partner with State and Federal government, LGNSW, NSROC and other relevant agencies on innovation and initiatives that improve our organisational sustainability and that address environmental and climate issues in our wider community.

Sustainability Action Plan

While Council has been working for some time to reduce its own emissions and support the community to live more sustainably, it’s time to accelerate our emissions reductions, ramp up the ways we support our community and prepare for changes to our city and community.

Council created a Sustainability Action Plan in 2021, and is working with a community-driven Sustainability Advisory Committee to continue to develop and evolve this plan.

The six core goals of the plan are:

1. Improving energy efficiency
2. Switching to renewable energy
3. Supporting low emissions transport
4. Driving the circular economy and waste minimisation
5. Growing adaption and resilience
6. Engaging the community.

In addition, Council has committed to a Renewable Energy Target (RET) of 100% by 2030.

The 2022 Sustainability Action Plan was endorsed in October 2021 by Council. 2022 Sustainability Action Plan