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Environmental Services

Local government plays a significant role in managing the natural environmental.

Strategic planning through zoning of land use and statutory controls on all private land and locally managed open space.

Enforcement powers for development consent conditions and unauthorised land uses.

Responsibility for stormwater management and control, sewerage and on site sewage works (eg septic tanks and treatment) and flood control.

As managers of public land, local governments must control pest plants and animals.

Councils manage local open space to prevent degradation, restore remnant vegetation and to provide habitat. These areas include bushland reserves, parks and playing fields.

Pollution control and environmental management of land, water and air, including public health issues.

In addition to implementing their own management plans and programs, local government also has responsibility for implementing state government legislation, which includes the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979), Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1997) and the Local Government Act (1993).