Energy use for streetlights, buildings and fleet are the biggest sources of emissions from Council operations. By choosing clean and smart energy solutions, we have already reduced our energy consumption and emissions and made energy use from operations more environmentally sustainable.
To date, our actions have resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions and a yearly saving of $600,000 in energy bills.
Our achievements so far
- Joined Australia's largest emissions reduction project by local government, to power almost 40% of our electricity needs with 100% renewable energy.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent - ahead of target.
- Installed 450kW + 100kW of solar at Mullum Mullum stadium and the Council Depot.
- Facilitated 750kW of solar/energy saving improvements across 180 Manningham households.
- Upgraded 8,000 street lights to energy efficient lights including LEDs.
- Diverted 56 per cent of waste away from landfill.
- Converted 41 vehicles of Council fleet to hybrid-electric.
- Converted 4 vehicles of Council fleet to full-electric.
Turning our sustainability goals into actions
What we are doing
- Demonstrating leadership in sustainable and innovative environmental practices.
- Undertaking new solar and battery installations at the Pines and Ted Ajani Centres, with similar projects considered across 18 other Council buildings over the next five years.
- Providing residents free energy saving advice and services in partnership with the Australian Energy Foundation — including webinars on easy ways to use less energy, save on energy costs while keeping cool over summer and how to reduce emissions in daily life.
- Committing to a power purchasing agreement in partnership with Darebin Council, the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and almost 50 other Councils for joint procurement of wind and solar grid electricity supply for almost 40 per cent of council’s electricity accounts.
- Entering into ‘GreenPower’ renewable energy contracts for our streetlight electricity accounts.
- Installing electric vehicle charge-points at the Civic Centre and Depot.
- Transitioning more of our fleet to electrical vehicles (EVs) once the infrastructure for EV charge points are in place.
- Introducing sustainable procurement by adopting responsible sourcing strategies based on supplier sustainability and environmental credentials.
- Raising awareness, educating and working together with our local community to further reduce our environmental impact and adapt to climate change through a range of events, initiatives and programs.
- Researching alternative treatments to asphalt resurfacing that extend the life and serviceability of road networks at a lower cost and impact to the environment.
