Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Strathbogie Shire Council's climate and sustainability commitments

Strathbogie Shire Council is part of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest network of councils leading the way to a sustainable future

  • Traditional Owners Taungurung People
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 11,167

Our journey

Past and current achievements in energy efficiency, renewable energy and broader sustainability

Research, and consult on the Sustainable Strathbogie 2030 Strategy – Our Sustainable Strathbogie 2030 Strategy is underway, and covers environment, sustainability and adaptation initiatives throughout the shire. It will be a significant framework for our future greenhouse actions.

Implement the Strathbogie Solar Bulk Buy Program – Strathbogie Shire Council launches its rural focussed ‘Bogie Bulk Buy’ program www.bogiebulkbuy.com.au on 27 July 2017. A key feature of the program is our desire to provide farmers, businesses, homeowners and weekenders with an impartial expert information source in the form of not-for-profit Yarra Energy Foundation.

Joined the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) – In February 2017, Strathbogie Shire Council joined Victoria’s Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) to learn more and join in reducing greenhouse emissions in the built environment. CASBE is a growing association of Victorian councils who integrate Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) into planning policy.

Install electric vehicle charging stations in Kirkland Avenue, Euroa, in July 2017 – Strathbogie Shire Council is currently facilitating the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for the public in its carpark and will evaluate their utilisation with the aim of further potential installations across the Shire.

Future planning for energy efficiency, renewable energy and broader sustainability

Investigate actions for Strathbogie Shire Council’s corporate building Greenhouse Program – Audit our council owned and operated buildings to achieve best cost benefit across energy efficiency, comfort, and water efficiency.

Research best value Strathbogie Shire Council rate rebates for private landholders who formally sign a property covenant or equivalent to protect native vegetation in perpetuity – In rural areas, protecting native vegetation not only benefits biodiversity, it locks land up as local carbon stores.

Undertake a feasibility analysis of an over-the-counter carbon offset market scheme managed by Council – Undertake a business plan to analyse opportunities available for council managed carbon offset scheme, which not only locks up and protects native vegetation, but gives it a further value to landholders.

Investigate a Strathbogie insulation and draught-proofing bulk buy program for residents – Once our solar bulk buy program has finalised, Strathbogie Shire Council will undertake an evaluation and cost benefit analysis on a bulk-buy style retrofit program of the thermal envelope of residential and commercial buildings.

Why Did Strathbogie Shire Council Join the Cities Power Partnership

Strathbogie Shire Council is a rural Victorian municipality with a small population and a large, diverse land mass. Our residents are already grappling with the realities of climate change – transitioning their farming techniques and business, advocating for the environment, and above all, volunteering their time to sustainable endeavours. Joining the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership acknowledges the expert support from the Climate Council, important network links from other councils throughout Australia, opening up funding opportunities, and growing our reputation throughout the environment and sustainability sector.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Use council resources to support the uptake of renewable energy
Provide incentives and/or remove barriers to encourage local businesses to take up solar power and battery storage.
Energy Efficiency
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Sustainable Transport
Ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles.
Work Together and Influence
Set city-level renewable energy or emissions reduction targets.

In the news

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20 Feb 2019
65 local and state government representatives, academics and community groups in Katoomba, NSW discussed how to prepare for increasing bushfire risk.
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How a rural community beat big power bills

08 Aug 2018
Carole Hammond, Sustainability Officer for Strathbogie Shire Council, talks about the wildly successful Bogie Bulk Buy. Famous for Ned Kelly and Black Caviar, Strathbogie Shire…
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Local councils step up climate change action with CPP

09 Feb 2018
As Australia swelters through intense heat waves, local councils have stepped up to tackle climate change in their own backyard. The Cities Power Partnership (CPP),…

Join now and be part of the groundswell of local governments and communities across Australia tackling climate change.