Our journey
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
In 2014 Greater Dandenong City Council built its iconic Dandenong Civic Centre. The project achieved a 5 -Star Green Star Design and As-Built Rating. When compared to the old civic centre Council has reduced carbon emissions by 50 per cent. Another initiative is Light Up Dandenong which saw Council replace 5,820 mercury vapour street lights with energy efficient LEDs. This project has enabled Council to reduce street light energy consumption by about 77 per cent, reduce an estimated 39,484 tonnes of carbon emissions and save Council $7.43 million during the next 20 years.
A community initiative also worth mentioning is the Annual Sustainability Festival, held on the first Sunday in March. The festival helped attract over 25,000 people to the Dandenong Market in 2018. It is a family- focused event, with a range of sustainability attractions and activities, which is especially popular with kids. As part of the Festival, Council held a public screening of Al Gore’s Inconvenient Sequel on its Urban Screen located at the new Dandenong Civic Centre in Harmony Square. Finally, the Sustainability Reference Committee made up of community representatives from throughout Greater Dandenong provides a sounding board for Council and reinforces Council’s commitment to addressing Climate Change.
Council reports on the progress it has made against all of its commitments outlined in its Sustainability Strategy via the Sustainable Greater Dandenong website – www.sustainable.greaterdandenong.com.au
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability?
Greater Dandenong has committed to redeveloping the Springvale Civic Centre as a Zero Emissions Precinct. This project is due for completion by 2020. In addition, Council has committed to installing a 100kW solar PV system on the roof of the Dandenong Civic Centre.
Finally, Council has also commenced the development of a new climate change strategy that will address both mitigation and adaption issues faced by Council and the community within the City of Greater Dandenong. This work is part of Greater Dandenong’s ongoing commitment to reduce its emissions, tackle the impacts of climate change and become a one of the most sustainable cities in Australia by 2030.
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership?
As demonstrated through historical programs such as ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection program and Sustainability Victoria’s TAKE2 program Local Government is very effective at working collaboratively with other key partners to tackle climate change. Greater Dandenong has joined the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership as it believes it will provide us with the opportunity to access research and best practice examples and provide us with the ability to network and partner on related projects, as well as the opportunity to benchmark ourselves against others.