Devonport City Council
Is a Power Partner
Council recognises that action on climate change is more than an individual Council responsibility; it is the responsibility of all levels of government and the community to work together. From 2016 to 2019 emissions across the entire city have increased by 23%. If we want to avert the likely impact of global temperature increases – ecosystem collapse and extensive social and economic upheaval – we must immediately reverse such a rise by making every effort to rapidly reduce our emissions. Being a Power Partner is an important step in our journey to mitigate the impacts of climate change now and for future generations.
Council has selected the following climate pledges
Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings
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
Provide fast-charging infrastructure throughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles
Sustainable Transport
Encourage sustainable transport use such as public transport, walking and cycling through council transport planning and design
Devonport City Council
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Over the past five years Council has progressively introduced energy efficiency measures across our highest energy using facilities and various services:
- Installation of 50kW solar panels generating on average 5% of total energy consumed across 3 of Council’s largest facilities
- Increased LED globes in public lighting inventory to 45% over the past two years and aiming to increase to 70% by 2022
- Installation of public fast charge electric vehicle charging station
- Improving efficiency of fleet vehicles, including increasing number of hybrid vehicles
- Improvements to cycling infrastructure to encourage increase in community cycling
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Council has an Environment Strategy in place that includes a key goal of ‘Living Lightly’ – reducing our ecological footprint through energy and water efficiency measures and improving waste management. Some projects expected to be pursued in the coming few years include:
- Establishing climate change KPIs and targets
- Expanding alternative power generation
- Extend active transport infrastructure and community education initiatives
- Support new community or businesses that utilise low carbon approaches
- Progressively install smart technology to reduce energy and water consumption
- Introduce a food and organics domestic waste collection service to divert waste from landfill
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership
Being part of the program will assist Council to actively understand, report and analyse our emissions, and help set key emissions reduction performance targets. Council also hopes to learn from other councils and improve our skills and knowledge base to effect change.