Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

City of Mitcham's climate and sustainability commitments

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

  • Traditional Owners Kaurna People
  • Member since 2020
  • Population 67,694
Feature_icon_2 / Solar Energy

100%

renewable energy for community by 2030

Our journey

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

The City of Mitcham has a strong history in undertaking efforts to reduce emissions through our operations and activities in the community and wider region.

As an active member of the Resilient South partnership, the City of Mitcham works collaboratively with other councils on climate adaptation planning, including climate risk assessment on its assets, mapping the urban heat island effect and tree canopy cover using high resolution imagery.

A summary of notable achievements by the City of Mitcham include:

  • Installation of 127 KW of solar photovoltaics on its buildings
  • A building LED lighting upgrade at Council’s Civic Centre and Melrose Park Depot reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 86 tonnes a year.
  • Upgrade of approximately 4980 residential streetlights to 14W LED in August 2018. We are now using less electricity to light our streets and have reduced our emissions by 605 tCo2e per year.
  • Energy audits of high energy use City of Mitcham sites.
  • Ongoing maintenance of a corporate greenhouse gas inventory
  • A linkage to 60% renewable energy will be sourced from Lake Bonney wind farm for large sites and for 12 and 24 hour street lighting under a local government contract between Jan 2020 and Dec 2022.
  • In 2018/19 the following recycled materials were incorporated into a range of projects to lower embodied greenhouse gas emissions: 1503 Tonnes of recycled asphalt in road renewals; 4789 Tyres used in Asphalt ; 3193 Tonnes of Crumb Rubber Asphalt laid; and 1 Gap Graded Crumb Rubber Asphalt Trial.

More information about the City of Mitcham’s recent climate action and achievements can be found on their website.

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

The City of Mitcham is committed to pursuing actions that support the long-term goal of building a thriving and sustainable city. This is captured in Council’s strategic plan Mitcham 2030 “We sustain and improve our natural and built environments for today’s and future generations.”

The Cities Power Partnership pledges reflect Council’s ambition to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. Progress will be measured and reviewed over time to ensure the City of Mitcham continues to advance this important goal.

Council will achieve its Cities Power Power Partnership pledges by taking the following actions:

  • Purchase 100% of Council’s energy from renewable sources by 2030.
  • Changing all streetlights to energy-efficient technology by 2030.
  • Transitioning Council’s fleet to be powered fully renewables by 2030
  • Purchase of two electric vehicles and four charging stations
  • Setting targets and funding programs to increase our waste-to-landfill diversion rate to 75% both for Councils commercial and domestic waste streams by 2030
  • Adopt sustainable procurement and policies to prioritise low-emission products and services and incorporate zero-emission design into all new Council buildings.

Council also aims to assist the City of Mitcham community in mitigating and responding to climate change by funding programs and/or infrastructure to:

  • Promote and accelerate a community renewable energy transition
  • Continue building community capacity towards net zero emissions and climate resilience
  • Transition toward renewables powered transportation
  • Assist residents in behaviour change education
  • Assist residents in designing new low-energy buildings

What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership

By becoming a member of the Cities Power Partnership, Council will be in a stronger position to respond to its recent climate change emergency declaration, learn from best practice organisations, strengthen leadership and prioritise meaningful action by Council to respond to the impacts of climate change. City of Mitcham also has an important role in supporting the low-carbon economy. We are also the level of government most impacted by extreme events so we are pleased to partner regionally and nationally to respond to climate change impacts and opportunities.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
Energy Efficiency
Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
Sustainable Transport
Ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles.
Work Together and Influence
Develop education and behaviour-change programs to support local residents and businesses to tackle climate change through clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
Develop procurement policy to ensure that the practices of contractors and financers align with council’s renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport goals.

In the news

Media Release

Seventeen councils join nationwide call for ambitious Federal Government targets ahead of UN climate summit

13 Oct 2021
Councils have called on the Federal Government to commit to strong, unified action on climate change, ahead of COP26.

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