Climate Summit for Local Government
As Australia’s largest local government climate alliance we are looking forward to once again recognising outstanding council-led initiatives from around the country, and celebrating the achievements of our members.
We are especially excited in 2023 to celebrate in-person at the State Library in Melbourne, as part of the Climate Summit for Local Government.
This year’s finalists and winners are…
Renewable Energy Achievement Award
WINNER: City of Mitcham, SA
The City of Mitcham launched a Community Renewables Program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy adoption, and easing cost of living pressures for its community. The program consisted of several phases, including residential and commercial bulk buys for solar and batteries, leading to the creation of a Mitcham Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and a community energy plan. The proposed Mitcham Energy Plan, powered by the VPP, aims to offer renewable energy to 762 residents and businesses across the city, including renters. The program will cut an estimated 3,193 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to energy use in 402 homes for a year. It’s also reducing electricity costs for residents and businesses, enhancing comfort, and boosting property values. The program is an Australian first and is helping the community shift to a low-carbon, decentralised energy system, showcasing the City of Mitcham’s leadership in community-led renewable energy.
Energy Efficiency Achievement Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Merri-bek City Council, VIC
In late 2020, Merri-bek launched the Solar and Thermal Subsidy Program, which assists low-income households in adopting solar panels or improving thermal insulation. The program is a “one-stop-shop” that supports households through the whole process, including carefully assessing their home for suitability, gaining access to state government rebates, as well as a financial subsidy provided by Council to cover any out of pocket expenses. The program has achieved significant results. Combined all 202 participants are saving $145,000 annually, and across the lifetime of the activities $1,750,000 will be delivered back to participants through avoided energy bill costs. The program’s success is driven by councils’ community engagement and unlike broad-based initiatives, this program specifically targets often under-represented cohorts, with the program only available to low-income households including a focus on CALD community members. This targeted approach reduces emissions, lowers bills, and improves the homes of those most affected by climate change.
WINNER: Brimbank City Council, VIC
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is the first all-electric aquatic centre in Australia and has been recognised for its “world leading” sustainable design by the Green Building Council of Australia.
The centre’s design incorporates innovative features to optimise energy and economic efficiency. Bolstered by four-pipe heat pump system, an integrated heat recovery system, a high-quality thermal building envelope, a 500kW rooftop solar PV system, and an 88,000L thermal energy storage system. The centre’s operation has already demonstrated remarkable efficiency, achieving a 76% energy use reduction compared to conventional gas-powered aquatic centres since its opening. It is demonstrating Brimbank’s commitment to reach net zero for Council operations by 2030.
Battler Award
WINNER: Shoalhaven City Council, NSW
Shoalhaven City Council has been hit by climate fuelled bushfires, severe storms and floods that caused widespread damage throughout the region – roads and bridges were washed out, homes were lost and Council’s ability to deliver critical services to its community was disrupted. To ensure its community is better prepared and more resilient for future disasters, Shoalhaven City Council launched its Recovery into Resilience project. The project has seen council install renewable energy and storage batteries at 25 halls and facilities across the Shoalhaven, adopt best practice energy efficiency measures, lead a joint agreement with neighbouring councils to purchase renewable energy and much more. Shoalhaven has demonstrated the true spirit of resilience and is battling hard to improve its resilience to climate impacts and to ensure its community is better prepared for the future.
Innovation Award
WINNER: ACT Government
To help transition its community off gas, the ACT created an innovative personalised digital tool, Make Your Next Choice Electric. Users enter their household circumstances and are provided a highly customised transition plan, including: recommended electric appliances across different price categories; estimated yearly power bill savings; lifetime greenhouse gas emissions reduction; and referrals to government programs, such as a zero-interest loans, or rebates for eligible concession card holders. In its first 3 months, the platform helped over 5,000 households create their own personalised electrification plan, identifying 9,578 gas appliances needing to transition. The tool is a first-of-its kind innovative solution to support households better understand the cost savings and benefits of electrifying their homes.
Collaboration Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED: City of Greater Bendigo, VIC
The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is 20 Bendigo businesses, community organisations, households, schools and local and state government together for three years of climate change action to put Bendigo on the path to zero emissions by 2030. The Collaboration has created the conditions to ensure climate action across the municipality is coordinated and focused on shared priority projects that deliver the biggest benefit for the community and the environment. The project has also ensured some of the City’s largest emitters have publicly committed to reducing emissions through their operations.
WINNER: Yarra City Council, VIC
The City of Yarra’s Business Renewable Buying Group aimed to develop a repeatable and scalable model to facilitate group buying of renewable energy for medium to large scale businesses.
The project targeted large electricity users who, alone, aren’t large enough to access structured Power Purchase Agreements. By joining together and using council experience, Yarra has been able to reduce upfront costs, provide clear advice and support, facilitate learning across the group, and improve access to electricity markets making business renewable energy contracts more affordable. The program’s group renewable energy buy is reducing carbon emissions by 18,500 tonnes per annum or the equivalent of removing 11,300 cars off the road or shifting 5,000 houses to 100% renewable energy.
Climate Ambassador Award (elected representative)
WINNER: Tweed Shire Council, NSW – Mayor Chris Cherry
Over the last five years, the northern rivers region has seen back-to-back devastating climate fuelled floods, drought, and bushfires. And in response, as the Tweed Shire Council spokesperson, Mayor Chris Cherry has been a tireless advocate for flood resilience and climate action – whether she’s advocating for funds to assist flood victims or championing her council’s climate initiatives. Chris has featured in countless media articles from ABC’s The Drum and the Sydney Morning Herald to the local ABC North Coast radio station. She consistently takes every opportunity to help people understand that climate change is worsening extreme weather events, and that we have power to make a difference.
Climate Champion Award (council staff)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Katie Biggs, Augusta Margaret River Shire, WA
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is at the forefront of action on climate and the Sustainability Planning Officer position plays a key role in implementing sustainability initiatives. Katie Biggs has used this role to drive strong local action and to advocate for broader action beyond the shire boundaries. She has been instrumental in achieving support from the executive team and Councillors for an ambitious Net Zero 2030 target, drafting the Climate Action Plan. WIth the implementation of the Climate Action Plan now well underway, the ambitious corporate climate targets have not only been met for the first time – they have been smashed! Renewable energy is at 93% and a number of ambitious projects are commencing in streetlighting, electric vehicles and community education.
WINNER: Health, Environment and Waste Branch staff, Logan City Council, QLD
Logan City Council’s Health, Climate and Conservation Branch staff led to the city’s Climate Active carbon neutral certification achievement in early 2023. Logan City Council is the 15th council in Australia to achieve this certification. To get there, council staff led a variety of initiatives like installing solar and battery storage systems, introducing green waste recycling, energy efficiency upgrades, electrifying their fleet and more. Overall, these projects save Council hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and reduce its CO2 emissions by more than 80,000 tonnes annually. That’s equivalent to taking 17,802 petrol vehicles off the road for one year.
WINNER: City of Mitcham, SA
The City of Mitcham launched a Community Renewables Program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy adoption, and easing cost of living pressures for its community. The program consisted of several phases, including residential and commercial bulk buys for solar and batteries, leading to the creation of a Mitcham Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and a community energy plan. The proposed Mitcham Energy Plan, powered by the VPP, aims to offer renewable energy to 762 residents and businesses across the city, including renters. The program will cut an estimated 3,193 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to energy use in 402 homes for a year. It’s also reducing electricity costs for residents and businesses, enhancing comfort, and boosting property values. The program is an Australian first and is helping the community shift to a low-carbon, decentralised energy system, showcasing the City of Mitcham’s leadership in community-led renewable energy.
Congratulations to all of our finalist and winners! To find out more about the Climate Awards, click here.
