Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Bundaberg Regional Council's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Peoples
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 96,914

Our journey

What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability

Bundaberg Regional Council adopted its Clean Energy Bundaberg Strategy (2014) as a means to promote clean energy opportunities and transition away from non-renewable energy sources. This strategy has set forth the goals and vision for a self-sustaining region with energy and resource management as a top priority. Under this strategy, a number of initiative across the entire organisation have been accomplished and include the following:

  • Recently commissioned (and planned) solar installations with a total cost savings of $90,000 per annum
  • Planned installation of a commercial-scale battery storage system (200 kW) combined with a 100 kW solar system to be installed on the newly constructed Bundaberg Region Multi-purpose Sports & Community Centre
  • Installation of gas flaring systems at two landfills, which as at April 2017, have processed a combined 11,537,660 cubic meters of landfill gas – equivalent to 87,611 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) or 18,506 passenger vehicles driven for one year
  • Collaboration with GreenFleet to complete the planting of 90,000 trees on 90 ha of land in the Barolin Nature Reserve, which will sequester 50,000 t CO2 equivalent over the 30 years of the project

What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy or broader sustainability

Bundaberg Regional Council is looking to build upon its strong foundation of renewable energy and broader sustainability across a wide variety of initiatives. Future work includes continued installation of solar systems across Council assets (including a 450 kW system on a newly commissioned wastewater treatment plant); installation of electric vehicle charging stations as part of the Queensland Electric Super Highway; and collaboration with a leading biofuels company to prepare a feasibility study for a Biofutures Park.

Why council joined the Cities Power Partnership

Bundaberg Regional Council is committed to providing leadership and direction for an environmentally conscious and resilient future. In addition, Council looks forward to sharing information and learning from other like-minded Councils that place heightened importance on delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
Implement landfill gas methane flaring or capture for electricity generation.
Sustainable Transport
Provide fast-charging infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles.
Work Together and Influence
Set city-level renewable energy or emissions reduction targets.

In the news

Media Release

Mayors commit to clean, local jobs

20 Oct 2020
Over forty mayors and councillors have released a joint statement committing to economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change.
News

Bundy Council commits to climate change fight

19 Jul 2017
19 July, 2017. LOW-LYING areas along Bundaberg’s coastline will be under threat from flooding if climate change is ignored. In a report released by the…
Media Release

Next stop, solar capital of Australia?

14 Jun 2017
For full Warwick Daily News article click here BUNDABERG is an Australian leader in the uptake of solar power and, according to Mayor Jack Dempsey,…

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