Alpine Shire Council is actively working towards a more sustainable resilient Alpine Shire by developing tailored Community Climate Action Plans for the four main areas of Dinner Plain, Kiewa Valley, Lower Ovens, and Upper Ovens.
These Community Climate Action Plans will guide how Alpine Shire communities respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change by identifying appropriate priorities, goals, and actions.
In partnership with the passionate work of existing volunteer groups, the Community Climate Action Plans aim to reduce emissions, build resilience, protect natural Alpine Shire environments, and support ongoing community wellbeing.
Community members across Alpine Shire are urged to contribute to the Plans and shape the priorities for their communities to share ideas and facilitate local solutions.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, emphasised that these Plans are being developed to reflect the specific needs and context of each of the four main areas.
"While Council is facilitating the development of these Plans, they are truly intended to be co-designed with the people who live and work in our different towns, and those who will be part of implementing changes," she said.
"Climate action should be informed by experts in conjunction with local voices to ensure that the actions reflect the needs, strengths, and concerns of our communities.
"We want to hear from everyone, regardless of your background, knowledge, or experience."
People across Alpine Shire can contribute to the development of the Community Climate Actions Plans in four ways:
- Completing a survey, either online via Engage Alpine or in-person at Alpine Libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty, and Myrtleford.
- Speaking to a Council representative in person at a pop-up stall between February and March 2026.
- Joining a working group to help develop the Plan specific to their community.
- Pinning their ideas on a virtual map via Engage Alpine to highlight location-based concerns, suggestions, and ideas.
Cr Nicholas said that community members should take advantage of this opportunity to help shape how Council manages climate resilience now and into the future.
"Since Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, we have introduced a number of initiatives to reduce emissions across our region," she said.
"From implementing our Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside bins to opening the Alpine Tip Shop at the Myrtleford Transfer Station to upgrading 1,200 streetlights to efficient LED lighting; we are now ready to start actively working towards specific initiatives tailored to the needs of our unique communities."
Community members can find out more and have their say, including submitting an expression of interest to join a working group, by visiting Engage Alpine: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-climate-action-plans