• Track the state of the Cairns environment online

Council has created an online dashboard that allows residents to track the state of the Cairns environment. The 2021 State of Environment report has been launched in a web-based format, making it easier for the public to access and visualise environmental and sustainability data. The report draws data from various sources to present a picture of the Cairns environment, including graphs tracking water and energy consumption, annual average rainfall and temperature, development, waste and recycling. Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said that despite not being a legislative requirement, this was the 15th State of Environment report released by Council. “It provides an overview of Council’s environmental and urban sustainability initiatives, and shows the condition of our local natural environment, pressures it faces, and our responses to those pressures.” The State of Environment report has historically been published in a PDF format and uploaded onto Council’s website. Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the transition to a webbased dashboard model made it more accessible to the public. “The collation of the data and presentation of the report in a document format has produced a 40-plus page record that was generally uninviting to the general public,’ Cr Manning said. “This year we’ve switched to an interactive web-based report, which is much more engaging for the community. It will also be more efficient for Council to update the community as data becomes available. This year’s State of Environment report features data gathered from both 2019/20 and 2020/21. Cr Manning said the report provided an important guide to Council manages its environmental impact when delivering services for the community. “Council needs to balance the needs of a growing population with protecting the environment, and we will continue to do that,” Cr Manning said. “For example, Council endorsed the Climate Change Strategy 2030 earlier this year, which outlines our commitment to climate action. “Work has also started on the Towards 2050 Growth Strategy, which will deliver holistic and contemporary land use planning that supports growth, liveability and sustainably.” To access the report, go to www.cairns.qld.gov.au/ community-environment/sustainability/sustainability-atcouncil/state-of-environment Key highlights of the 2021 State of Environment report include: Climate: • Average daily air temperatures at the Cairns Aero Station have increased by about 1 °C since records began in 1942. Data shows that 2020/21 had an average annual maximum of 29.1 °C and an average minimum of 21.4°C. Water: • Council supplied 24,652 megalitres of water and processed 20,435 megalitres of wastewater in 2020/21, recycling 1,731 megalitres for applications such as watering the Botanic Gardens and golf courses. On average, Cairns residents are using less water each year, per capita. Biodiversity: • Queensland Government remnant vegetation surveys show that Cairns has close to 68% of vegetation cover in the LGA, with this figure being close to constant since 2013. • Council raised 32,874 native seedlings through its nursery and supported 427 volunteers through its Green Space Our Place program. Built Environment • The population in Cairns grew by an estimated 439 residents in 2020/21 to 168,583. A reversal in international migration in recent years contributed to Cairns population growth rate slowing to 0.26%, a decrease from the preCOVID average of 1.03%. Transport • Personal motor vehicles remain a popular choice of transport for residents, with an average of 1.08 vehicles for every driver. Waste Management • A total of 99,945 tonnes of waste was received by Council in 2020/21, an increase of 4.6% on the previous year. However, data revealed the Cairns residential population has increased by 6.5% since 2013/14, indicating a 3.3% reduction in waste generated per person over the longer term. • Overall, there was a 63% recovery rate of waste received by Council. Council Operations • Total fuel consumed by Council vehicles decreased to the lowest it has been in the past eight years, with a 2.5% drop from 2013/14 levels. • Council greenhouse gas emissions have generally remained steady since 2016/17, although Council saved approximately 3,600 tonnes of emissions through the installation of 2.8MW of solar panels on Council facilities. • Council's total electricity use was 37,350 MWh in 2020/21, with the higher usage level largely attributable to large- scale capital works projects, increased facilities electricity use, and additional street, traffic and public lighting.