18 NOVEMBER 2021
GEORGES RIVER Council has taken out a national climate gong for energy efficiency at the Cities Power Partnership Awards last night.
The Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of climate heroes in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.
Georges River took top honours for its extensive work rolling out a range of energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades that have led to a thirty-six per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Georges River Council General Manager Gail Connolly said we are proud to be recognised for our Working Towards Net Zero project.
“Council is committed to sustainability and aims to achieve 100% renewable energy and net zero emissions for Council operations by 2025,” said Ms Connolly.
“I congratulate Council’s Environmental Sustainability and Waste Team, and thank them for their dedication towards improving sustainability for Georges River now and into the future.”
To improve energy efficiency, Georges River has replaced fluorescent fittings with LEDs, reviewed the car park ventilation control, set up CO2 sensors to control the flow of air conditioning and enhanced Council’s Building Management System to optimise heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems performance.
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell congratulated Georges River Council, noting that the winning entry was a pragmatic and effective example of energy efficiency in a competitive field of entrants.
“Energy efficiency is an important step for councils to take when tackling their emissions and it’s great to see Georges River show how it can lead to huge emissions reductions as well as energy and cost savings,” Dr Odell said.
“The local climate solutions on display at these awards are tangible proof that Australian communities are rising up to meet the challenges of climate change and play a critical role delivering climate solutions in Australia.”
The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, community engagement, ambition, collaboration and innovation.
FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Renewable Energy Achievement Award
Winner: Northern Beaches Council, NSW – Northern Beaches Goes Renewable
Energy Efficiency Achievement Award
Winner: Georges River Council, NSW – Working towards net zero emissions
Sustainable Transport Achievement Award
Winner: ACT Government, ACT – Zero Emissions Fleet Transition
Community Engagement Achievement Award
Winner: City of Adelaide, SA – Sustainability Incentives Scheme Enabling Community Emissions Outcomes
Innovation Award
Winner: Greater Dandenong City Council, VIC – Net zero emissions in Council infrastructure and assets bids
Ambition Award
Winner: Mornington Peninsula Shire, VIC – Climate Emergency Plan “Ensuring our Future”
Collaboration Award
Winner: Darebin City Council, VIC – Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO)
Climate Ambassador Award (elected representative)
Winner: Shoalhaven City Council, NSW – Mayor Amanda Findley
Climate Champion Award (council staff)
Winner: Cairns Regional Council Sustainability Team, QLD
Highly Commended: Hunter Joint Organisation, NSW
Community Choice Award
Winner: Borough of Queenscliffe, VIC – Community-led climate emergency response plan
ENDS
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Cities Power Partnership awards recognise councils demonstrating climate mitigation action across the listed 37 action pledge items under the Cities Power Partnership. Each of the 9 categories were judged to ensure their respective criteria were met.
Judges
- Damon Gameau, Film director, author and presenter
- Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO, Next Economy
- Dr Simon Bradshaw, Head of Research, Climate Council
- Pam Townshend, Former Shire President, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Western Australia
